General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) together with growing number of data breaches are the most pressing reasons why small and medium businesses are implementing data protection technologies -- including encryption. With the limited time and market flooded by various products, it can be a difficult task for company owners and decision makers to find the right fit for their needs.

If you are faced with the decision yourself, avoid pitfalls in selecting an encryption product by asking the following questions:

1. Which laptops present the biggest risk; on-site or off-site?

This might seem like a pointless question with an obvious answer; systems are more liable to loss or theft when away from the office, but making this distinction and keeping it in mind is the right place to start and when you have settled on a solution, be sure to test its effectiveness at managing problem scenarios for your remote users.

2. Does the system offer full remote control of off-site endpoint encryption that fits your IT department?

All major Endpoint Encryption products offer the means to manage remote systems, but look carefully at the requirements. Most need either an open incoming connection to a demilitarized zone (DMZ) on your Server, or a VPN connection. All involve a higher level of IT skills and additional costs and may require the user to initiate the connection to function; not much use with a rogue employee or stolen laptop. A well-designed product will give you the remote management necessary without creating additional security problems, requiring specialist knowledge or adding expense to the project.

Why is this important?

Being able to quickly vary security policy, encryption keys, features and operation of endpoint encryption remotely, means that your default policy can be strong and tight. Exceptions can be made only when and where they are needed, and reverted just as easily. If you can't do this you'll be forced to leave 'a key under the doormat' - just in case, tearing holes in your policy before deployment is complete.

3. Does the solution allow you to remotely lock or wipe keys from laptops?

The answer might be crucial if a company computer with full-disk encryption gets stolen while in sleep mode or with operating system booted up, not to mention those systems with the pre-boot password affixed on a label or tucked in the laptop bag. If a remote lock or wipe function is not available, then the system is either unprotected or secured only by the OS password, with the encryption being bypassed in either case.

Similarly, it is important to know whether the solution has been designed to accommodate the typical use-cases that would otherwise unravel a well-designed security policy.

4. Does the solution secure removable media without having to whitelist each item?

With an array of writeable devices that people use for their everyday work, it is almost impossible for the admins to whitelist each and every one of them and decide if they can be read from or written to.

It is much easier to set a file-level policy -- distinguishing between files that need encryption and those that don't -- and keep these protected every time they move from workstation or corporate network to any portable device.

In other words, if you connect your own USB stick, it won't force you to encrypt your private data, however anything coming from the company system will be encrypted without the keys being held on your device. A simple idea, but one which makes any device safe, without the need for whitelisting.

5. Is the solution easy to deploy?

If the setup of the solution takes hours or even days and needs additional tools for its operation, it might cause new headaches for company admins and create new security risks. Aim for an easy-to-deploy solution that doesn't require advanced IT expertise, preserving your finances as well as human resources. If the user-experience mirrors that easy deployment, then IT staff won't be further taxed by user-lockouts, lost data and other frustrations.

Closing remarks: The security was there a long time ago; what will make or break your deployment is flexibility and ease of use.

All validated, commercial encryption products have been more than strong enough for many years, yet a significant proportion of the recorded data breaches involving lost or stolen laptops and USB drives happened to organizations who had bought and deployed encryption products. Reading the case notes for these incidents reveals being able to fit the solution your environment and working practices and making encryption easy for everyday users as the real challenges.

About ESET

For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET becomes the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single "in-the-wild" malware without interruption since 2003. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

MEMV is a new film production, financing, and international distribution platform with a focus on producing and distributing star-driven A-Talent action / thriller / comedy films that target and appeal to a global audience. The company is led by industry veterans Peter Guber and Steve Richards whose collective accolades and credits include US$8B+ in global box office, 50 Academy Award nominations, and films that have defined pop culture such as the 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Matrix' franchises. The company also includes major shareholders Jeff Vinik, owner of the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning; Paul Schaeffer, Vice Chairman and COO of Mandalay Entertainment Group; and Peter Strauss, former Chairman of Lionsgate Entertainment.

In addition to his leadership at MEMV, Peter Guber is a major player and influencer in the professional sports and entertainment industry. His career and accolades include former CEO / Chairman of Columbia Pictures Entertainment; Chairman of Dick Clark Productions; and owner / co-owner of three professional sports team including 2017 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors; MLB Los Angeles Dodgers; and MLS Los Angeles Football Club.

"We are at an interesting inflection with China's film industry -- we have China becoming the most important market globally coupled with an increasingly more sophisticated Chinese audience who strive for compelling stories and movies that captivate the heart and mind. The Chinese audience is no longer looking for just the biggest explosion and CGI action sequence, but also the story and characters that drive the film." said Puji Film director, Lily Zhao. "We have looked at a number of film slates and production companies in Hollywood and MEMV is the first platform with the right approach for China. We are continually impressed by Peter (Guber) and the team's creative vision. We could not be more excited by the first film and our future film pipeline for global and China markets."

In late May, Sony Pictures Classics acquired North America rights to 'Silent Man', a political thriller produced in part by MEMV. The film is about the Watergate scandal that consumed the United States White House and presidency during the 1970's which led to the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

'Silent Man' centers around FBI official Mark Felt, who was revealed as the main informant that unraveled an entire US presidency in the famous Watergate scandal. The character, although very little is known about him, was instrumental in defining US history and the course of the White House. The film focuses on Mark Felt's side of the Watergate story and gives audience a brand new perspective that has never been explored.

According to Zhao, MEMV will continue to play a strong influence in the China market with films that have mass commercial appeal as well as stories and characters that will attract the Chinese audience. Zhao adds that the growth of digital and mobile distribution in China will only be more opportunities for MEMV and the entire film industry as a whole.

HMC is one of the largest primary care operators in Australia with over 350 doctors, providing care to 1.8 million patients each year.

Dr Michael Tan, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Fullerton Health, commented, "I am thrilled to welcome the Healthscope medical centres team to join Fullerton Health today. This is an important acquisition for us, which reinforces our stated strategy of developing a strong presence in markets across the region, and specifically to broaden our network in Australia. Through this acquisition we will become the third largest primary care business in the country, and will be well positioned to support even more doctors and clinics."

Steven Harvey, Managing Director of Fullerton Health Australia, commented, "Fullerton is already one of the leading occupational health and primary care providers in Australia, and following the acquisition of Healthscope's medical centre business we will together operate the third largest primary care business in the country. The combination of focus and expertise coupled with international operations will help us to provide a greater range of services across Australia. Fullerton Health and HMC are highly complementary and our team are looking forward to working closely with HMC to deliver on the great potential that the combination of our two businesses offers."

-Walker Leads the Sourcing Pillar of Young Living's Seed to Seal Program-

LEHI, Utah, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Young Living Essential Oils, the world leader in essential oils, today announced that it has promoted Lauren Walker to the role of Chief Supply Officer. In her time with Young Living, she and her team have further implemented rigorous sourcing standards while also streamlining manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment operations.

"Lauren embraces Young Living's passion for being stewards of the earth and has been a driving force in ensuring that the sourcing, manufacturing and shipping components of our business all operate under that mindset," said Jared Turner, Young Living Chief Operating Officer. "Her experience and expertise in project management, manufacturing, and supply chain gained throughout her career has been a great addition to our strong executive team."

Walker leads the sourcing pillar of Young Living's Seed to Seal program (Sourcing, Science and Standards), that governs how we obtain our products -- whether from our corporate-owned farms, partner farms, or Seed to Seal-certified supplier. The sourcing pillar is also a major part of how we verify, through internal and third-party tracking, that the superior essential oils and premium ingredients in our products such as foods, skin care, and supplements were produced and manufactured according to industry best practices and our own high standards.

"We have an obligation to provide our customers with the highest quality products and the best customer experience, and we do that by having effective processes in place," said Walker. "I'm proud that our team has assessed the whole supply chain of an oil and refined or established processes that help us provide the best products and services to our customers."

Throughout her three-decade career with high-profile international companies, Walker has established herself as a leader and an innovator in streamlining global systems. After completing her engineering degree, she worked for Xerox as an engineer, followed by 10 years with Procter & Gamble in supply chain, manufacturing/technical operations, and quality. She also worked for seven years with Johnson & Johnson as a plant manager and as Program Manager of their Oral Care franchise. Prior to joining Young Living in 2016, she was Vice President of Manufacturing at Amway, where she was responsible for manufacturing across all product lines: nutrition, home care, personal care, beauty care, durable goods, and paper products.

In addition to her extensive experience, Walker has been a keynote speaker for American Manufacturing Strategies Summit and Front End Innovations Conference, is a Lean Six Sigma Project Champion in Manufacturing, and is Green Belt Certified. She holds a degree in engineering from Union College in New York. Lauren currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Salt Lake Chamber.

About Young Living Essential OilsYoung Living Essential Oils, LC, is the world leader in essential oils, with a strict Seed to Seal® process that produces pure essential oil products for every individual, family, and lifestyle. This process ensures that all products are genuine, free of synthetic chemicals, and pure. This commitment stems from the company's more than 20 years of stewardship toward the earth and its people. For more information, visit YoungLiving.com.

Global developers and publishers of social card games for mobile platforms, the KamaGames Group, today announced another very successful show attendance as they return from the World Mobile Game Conference (WMGC) part of this year's China Joy Exhibition in Shanghai China.

As part of the group's further expansion into the Asian markets, KamaGames were one of the conference's platinum sponsors that saw them having a strong marketing and communications execution as well as a talk by Daniel Kashti, KamaGames' Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer.

During his talk, Kashti discussed how the western social card game business, currently valued at over $4 billion, is rapidly expanding across the Asian markets with more players enjoying games on mobile resulting in a comparative decline in Facebook gaming. This has resulted in significant growth across the KamaGames group and allowed them to focus expanding into new and emerging markets across the world.

In addition, the developer and publisher also hosted an evening networking event, inviting key members of the local press and local publishers and distributors to introduce them to Europe's largest independent social poker title - Pokerist.

Daniel Kashti commented, "We have spent the last year exploring both mainland China and South East Asia, and decided that Q2 and Q3 of 2017 was the right time to begin to execute our plans. We have been seeing a 2-3 fold increase in player activity in the region over the past 12 months, as well as encouraging trends continuing to appear."

The WMGC conference also saw KamaGames meeting with a number of potential key, strategic partners across various parts of Asia. Kevin Egan of KamaGames' Business Development team said, "We had an incredibly successful conference and have met some very interesting local companies that we would definitely be interested in working with going forward. We are hoping to be able to provide further details of our partnerships in the Asian markets in the coming months or sooner".

The KamaGames Group are global developers and publishers of social card games designed for mobile, social, consoles and smart TVs.

Established in 2010 and employing over 220 staff, the KamaGames Group has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland as well as offices in London and Dubai. The group is also present either directly or through its network of partners in all global markets including USA, Europe ASIAPAC, and the Middle East and CIS countries.

Bringing together creativity, proprietary technology, and a passion for games, KamaGames has built a portfolio of premium social card games designed to deliver real-life entertainment to the masses. KamaGames' Random Number Generator (RNG) is certified by iTech Labs and meets the highest standards to guarantee fair play.

KamaGames' portfolio is localised into 29 languages and reaches over 90 million gamers worldwide with over 1 million daily active users.

The flagship game, Pokerist(R), was named one of the Best Apps of 2012 by Apple and was the #1 Top Grossing App on the Apple App Store in 89 countries, as well as being in the Top 5 Google Play Grossing Apps in 24 countries.

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GAMENTTDSFri, 18 Aug 2017 07:01:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185514-0.shtmlPANJIN, China, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The second edition of "Red Beach Cup" International Youth Art Festival kicked off on August 14 in the Red Beach National Scenic Corridor, a spectacular tourist attraction located in the northeastern Chinese city of Panjin. More than 200 young people from China, Russia, the United States and other 11 countries participated in the event.

The Panjin Red Beach National Scenic Corridor

The Panjin Red Beach National Scenic Corridor sits on the bank of Liaohe River and the shore of Bohai Bay. It is the largest red wetland in the world, characterized by unique red coastline, abundant wetland resources and thick reed marshes.

The "Red Beach" is a AAAA scenic spot, the country's second highest rate for tourist attractions. It receives more than 1 million domestic and foreign visits every year, entertaining its guests with a boundless stretch of flaming beach, tens of thousands of happy waterfowls and a vast rippling sea of reeds. What a perfect combination of natural scenery and human landscape!

The marvelous view is born thanks to seepweed, which covers the marshland and turns red every summer and autumn after penetration of alkali and being soaked with saline. A sea of red stretches in never-ending line.

Another selling point is the world's biggest reed marsh wetland, which is home to a variety of wild animals and plants. Here you can see a trestle bridge wind its way to the sea and melt into the sky, liking a wave heading for the high sea. While walking on the bridge, you can enjoy the sight of the red beach and reed marshes on your two sides, hear the singing of migrant birds and feel the natural power of the vast sea.

The Panjin Red Beach National Scenic Corridor includes ten scenic spots. It starts to turn red around May and gradually change from the red to purple till October, so the best time for visit every year is from May to October.

All visitors are expected to have a beautiful memory here. The Panjin Red Beach National Scenic Corridor is upgrading its service through digitalization and smart travel, catering for building a moderately developed city in Panjin. In the burning hot summer, come to the colorful Panjin, and indulge in the coolness and refresh yourself in the wetland.

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ATLTRAFri, 18 Aug 2017 06:23:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185545-0.shtmlBEIJING, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhaopin Limited (NYSE: ZPIN) ("Zhaopin" or the "Company"), a leading career platform[1] in China focused on connecting users with relevant job opportunities through their career lifecycle, today announced that it has called an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM") to be held on September 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (Beijing time), at 5/F, Shoukai Square, No. 10 Furong Street, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, The People's Republic of China. The meeting will be held to consider and vote on, among other matters, the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated April 6, 2017, among the Company, SEEK International Investments Pty Ltd. ("Parent") and Zebra Mergerco, Ltd. ("Merger Company"), the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands (the "Plan of Merger"), and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger (as defined below).

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, Merger Company will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger as the surviving company under Cayman Islands law (the "Merger"). If completed, the proposed Merger would result in the Company becoming a privately held company that is wholly owned by Parent (which is the current controlling shareholder of the Company) together with affiliates of Hillhouse Capital Management, Ltd. and FountainVest Partners (collectively, the "Buyer Group") and the American depositary shares of the Company (each representing two Class A ordinary shares) ("ADSs") will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the ADSs and the Company's Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs will cease to be registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Company's board of directors, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of the Company's board of directors composed entirely of independent directors unaffiliated with the Buyer Group or any member of the management of the Company, authorized and approved the Merger Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger) and resolved to recommend that the Company's shareholders vote FOR, among other things, the proposal to authorize and approve the Merger Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger).

Shareholders of record at the close of business in the Cayman Islands on September 4, 2017 will be entitled to attend and vote at the EGM. ADS holders as of the close of business in New York City on August 25, 2017 will be entitled to instruct JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the ADS depositary, to vote the Class A ordinary shares represented by their ADSs at the EGM.

Additional information regarding the EGM and the Merger Agreement can be found in the transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 and the proxy statement attached as Exhibit (a)-(1) thereto, as amended, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which can be obtained, along with other filings containing information about the Company, the proposed Merger and related matters, without charge, from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). In addition, persons wanting to receive copies of the definitive proxy statement may direct such requests to the Company, at +86 (10) 58635888-68346 or via email at ir@zhaopin.com.cn.

SHAREHOLDERS AND ADS HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THESE MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE PROPOSED MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.

The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be "participants" in the solicitation of proxies from our shareholders with respect to the proposed Merger. Further information regarding persons who may be deemed participants, including any direct or indirect interests they may have, is also set forth in the definitive proxy statement.

This announcement is neither a solicitation of a proxy, an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities and it is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that have been or will be made with the SEC.

About Zhaopin Limited

Zhaopin is a leading career platform in China, focusing on connecting users with relevant job opportunities throughout their career lifecycle. The Company's zhaopin.com website is the most popular career platform in China as measured by average daily unique visitors in each of the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, number of registered users as of June 30, 2017 and number of unique customers[2] for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The Company's over 140.0 million registered users include diverse and educated job seekers who are at various stages of their careers and are in demand by employers as a result of the general shortage of skilled and educated workers in China. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, approximately 49.3 million job postings[3] were placed on Zhaopin's platform by 613,083 unique customers including multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises and state-owned entities. The quality and quantity of Zhaopin's users and the resumes in the Company's database attract an increasing number of customers. This in turn leads to more users turning to Zhaopin as their primary recruitment and career- related services provider, creating strong network effects and significant entry barriers for potential competitors. For more information, please visit http://www.zhaopin.com.

Safe Harbor Statements

This news release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "if," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the expected benefits and costs of the proposed Merger; the expected timing of the completion of the Merger; the parties' ability to complete the Merger considering the various closing conditions, including any conditions related to regulatory approvals; the possibility that various closing conditions to the Merger may not be satisfied or waived and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and the proxy statement to be filed by the Company in connection with the Merger. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

[1] Zhaopin's website is the most popular career platform in China as measured by average daily unique visitors in each of the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, the number of registered users as of June 30, 2017 and the number of unique customers for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

[2] A "unique customer" refers to a customer that purchases the Company's online recruitment services during a specified period. Zhaopin makes adjustments for multiple purchases by the same customer to avoid double counting. Each customer is assigned a unique identification number in the Company's information management system. Affiliates and branches of a given customer may, under certain circumstances, be counted as separate unique customers.

[3] Zhaopin calculates the number of job postings by counting the number of newly placed job postings during each respective period. Job postings that were placed prior to a specified period - even if available during such period - are not counted as job postings for such period. Any particular job posting placed on the Company's website may include more than one job opening or position.

Net sales during the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 were RMB70.1 million or US$10.3 million.

Sales of specialty films were RMB25.6 million or US$3.8 million or 36.5% of our total revenues.

Overseas sales were RMB15.8 million or US$2.3 million, or 22.5% of total revenues.

Our gross profit was RMB5.0 million or US$0.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017, representing a gross profit rate of 7.2%.

Mr. Zengyong Wang, Chairman and CEO of Fuwei Films, commented, "While we continue to face strong competition from emerging and incumbent players in the marketplace, which has led to oversupply relative to demand in the marketplace, we are encouraged by positive trends in the sales of specialty films. We believe our commitment to innovation and R&D has expanded our end-user applications that will enable the Company to capitalize on these opportunities despite challenging industry and economic conditions."

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

Net sales during the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 were RMB70.1 million or US$10.3 million, compared to RMB59.3 million during the same period in 2016, representing an increase of RMB10.8 million or 18.2%. The increase of average sales price caused an increase of RMB7.0 million and the sales volume increase caused an increase of RMB3.8 million.

In the second quarter of 2017, sales of specialty films were RMB25.6 million or US$3.8 million or 36.5% of our total revenues as compared to RMB23.5 million or 39.7% in the same period of 2016, which was an increase of RMB2.1 million, or 8.9% as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase of average sales price caused an increase of RMB0.3 million and the increase in the sales volume caused an increase of RMB1.8 million. The increase was largely attributable to the increase in sales volume.

Overseas sales were RMB15.8 million or US$2.3 million, or 22.5% of total revenues, compared with RMB11.2 million or 18.9% of total revenues in the second quarter of 2016. The increase of average sales price caused an increase of RMB1.9 million and the increase in sales volume resulted in an increase of RMB2.7 million.

The following is a breakdown of PRC domestic and overseas sales (amounts in thousands):

Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

% of Total

Three-Month Period EndedJune 30, 2016

% of Total

RMB

US$

RMB

Sales in China

54,277

8,006

77.5%

48,106

81.1%

Sales in other countries

15,789

2,329

22.5%

11,210

18.9%

70,066

10,335

100.0%

59,316

100.0%

Our gross profit was RMB5.0 million or US$0.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017, representing a gross profit rate of 7.2%, as compared to a gross profit rate of 9.5% for the same period in 2016. Correspondingly, gross profit rate decreased by 2.3 percentage point compared to the same period in 2016. Our average product sales prices increased by 11.1% compared to the same period last year while the average cost of goods sold increased by 13.9% compared to the same period last year. Consequently, the amount of increase in cost of goods sold was greater than that in sales revenue during the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, which resulted in a decrease in our gross profit.

Operating expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 were RMB14.2 million or US$2.1 million, as compared to RMB14.5 million for the same period in 2016.

Net loss attributable to the Company during the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 was RMB11.6 million or US$1.7 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of RMB10.2 million during the same period in 2016, representing an increase of RMB1.4 million for the same period in 2016.

Basic and diluted net loss per share was RMB3.57 or US$0.53 and RMB3.12 for the three months period ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Total shareholders' equity was RMB241.2 million or US$35.58 million as of June 30, 2017, compared with RMB265.2 million as of December 31, 2016.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had 3,265,837 basic and diluted total ordinary shares outstanding.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

Net sales during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 were RMB138.0 million or US$20.4 million, compared to RMB121.5 million in the same period in 2016, representing an increase of RMB16.5 million or 13.6%. The increase in average sales price caused an increase of RMB12.6 million and the increase in the sales volume caused an increase of RMB3.9 million.

In the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, sales of specialty films were RMB47.3 million or US$7.0 million or 34.3% of our total revenues as compared to RMB45.3 million or 37.3% in the same period of 2016, which was an increase of RMB2.0 million, or 4.4% as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase in the sales volume caused an increase of RMB1.8 million and the increase in average sales price caused an increase of RMB0.2 million.

Overseas sales during the six months ended June 30, 2017 were RMB29.0 million or US$4.3 million, or 21.0% of total revenues, compared with RMB23.7 million or 19.5% of total revenues in the same period in 2016. This was RMB5.3 million higher than the same period in 2016. The increase in sales volume resulted in an increase of RMB2.5 million and the increase in average sales price caused an increase of RMB2.8 million.

The following is a breakdown of PRC domestic and overseas sales (amounts in thousands):

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

% of Total

Six-Month Period EndedJune 30, 2016

% of Total

RMB

US$

RMB

Sales in China

109,008

16,080

79.0%

97,738

80.5%

Sales in other countries

29,002

4,278

21.0%

23,725

19.5%

138,010

20,358

100.0%

121,463

100.0%

Our gross profit was RMB8.8 million or US$1.3 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2017, representing a gross margin of 6.4%, as compared to a gross loss rate of 9.2% for the same period in 2016. Correspondingly, gross margin decreased by 2.8 percentage points. Our average product sales prices increased by 10.0% compared to the same period last year while the average cost of goods sold increased by 13.5% compared to the same period last year. Consequently, the amount of increase in cost of goods sold was higher than that in sales revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, which resulted in a decrease in our gross margin.

Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were RMB28.0 million or US$4.1 million, compared to RMB29.5 million in the same period in 2016, which was RMB1.5 million lower than the same period in 2016. This decrease was mainly due to decreased allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

Net loss attributable to the Company during the first half of 2017 was RMB23.8 million or US$3.5 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of RMB22.3 million during the same period in 2016, representing an increase of RMB1.5 million from the same period in 2016 due to the factors described above.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a teleconference on Friday, August 18, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. EDT / 9:00 p.m.Beijing time to discuss the financial results. To participate in the call, please dial +1-877-407-9205 in North America, or +1-201-689-8054 internationally, approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

A replay of the call can also be accessed via telephone by calling +1-877-481-4010 in North America, or +1-919-882-2331 internationally, and entering the following Conference ID: 19863. The replay will be available until September 18, 2017, at 09:00 a.m. EDT.

About Fuwei Films

Fuwei Films conducts its business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fuwei Films (Shandong) Co., Ltd. ("Fuwei Shandong"). Fuwei Shandong develops, manufactures and distributes high-quality plastic films using the biaxial oriented stretch technique, otherwise known as BOPET film (biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate). Fuwei's BOPET film is widely used to package food, medicine, cosmetics, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as in the imaging, electronics, and magnetic products industries.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which, among other things, include trends affecting the global economy, including the devaluation of the RMB by China in August 2017; competition in the BOPET film industry; growth of, and risks inherent in, the BOPET film industry in China; uncertainty as to future profitability and our ability to obtain adequate financing for our planned capital expenditure requirements; uncertainty as to our ability to continuously develop new BOPET film products and keep up with changes in BOPET film technology; risks associated with possible defects and errors in our products; uncertainty as to our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; uncertainty as to our ability to attract and retain qualified executives and personnel; and uncertainty in acquiring raw materials on time and on acceptable terms, particularly in view of the volatility in the prices of petroleum products in recent years. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Actual results of our operations may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors.

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GroupM, the media investment management group of WPP, today announced the global rollout of viewability standards to support continued investment in digital media. Viewability is a measure of a digital ad's opportunity to be seen, and since 2014, GroupM has championed the highest standards for the measured viewability of digital advertising to drive greater integrity and make the medium more effective and accountable for advertisers. GroupM creates value for clients of its agencies with industry leadership on critical issues including measurement standards, digital supply chain integrity, brand safety and personalized, media-driven marketing capabilities.

Key clients are supporting the demand for enhanced viewability and measurement in digital advertising, including Unilever, Campbell Soup Company, Church & Dwight, Shell, Subway and Volvo Cars. Unilever partnered with GroupM in 2014 when the company's viewability standards were originally announced in the U.S.

"Unilever and GroupM have been at the forefront of the viewability and transparency conversation," said Keith Weed, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Unilever. "We support GroupM's ongoing assessment in this space to reflect changes in consumer behavior and available ad formats, and to ensure full accountability and verification."

Media and technology partners supporting the viewability effort include Hulu, Spotify, Teads, comScore, DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science and Moat. GroupM is in active dialogue with all digital media partners worldwide about viewability measurement and delivery to the now global standards.

Viewability considers the area of the ad that can be seen within a browser or application (in percentage of pixels) and the duration of time that the pixels remain in view (in seconds). According to global verification providers, as much as 50 percent of all digital ads are not viewable, representing a significant accountability risk to advertising clients.

To-date, the U.S. has seen the most focused attention on viewability. In 2014, GroupM announced trading standards for an ad to count as a payable impression. The standards required that 100 percent of the pixels in a display ad must be in view (for any amount of time), and for video, that 50 percent of the video must be played at the user's initiation with the sound on while 100% in view. At the time, only 18 percent of video impressions met GroupM's standard; by mid-2016, 55 percent of impressions met the standard.

Today, GroupM also announced an evolution of its standards and plans for studying the performance of video ads in social and newsfeed environments. The requirement that an ad must be 100 percent in view remains foundational to GroupM's standards for all ad formats. With user behaviors in mobile and social newsfeed environments, where they sometimes scroll too quickly to see ads, GroupM has strengthened its standard and now requires a one second duration for the time a display ad passes through the viewable screen.

GroupM, its clients and partners will also study the performance of social and newsfeed video, measuring more than 100 data points with DoubleVerify, Moat and IAS across Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat to identify which are most meaningful in evaluating different ad formats in these social platforms and in mobile environments. This analysis will be the foundation for the development of future social and newsfeed video duration metrics.

"Our ambition is to offer clients the absolute best quality digital media in every market," said John Montgomery, Executive Vice President, Brand Safety. "By working with clients and progressive media and technology partners, we can help shape the digital marketplace for the better, as we have seen in the U.S. It was always our goal to operate around a consistent standard globally and following many months of partner dialogue, now is the right time for us move forward with these enhanced standards that consider the evolution in social and mobile platforms, as well as user behaviors."

"We fully support GroupM's efforts to ensure we are working with partners that adopt these new viewability standards," said Britta Bomhard, Chief Marketing Officer, Church & Dwight.

"We applaud the work GroupM is doing to maximize our brands' visibility and exposure," said Chris Hayek, Head of Global Connections at Shell.

"Subway headquarters is dedicated to measurement and accountability for every dollar spent on behalf of our franchisees," said Melissa Sutton, Director of Media Services US. "Our partnership with GroupM and MediaCom has helped us evolve not only our digital test and learn approach, but also our continuous reinvention and scrutiny of measurement."

"Any effort to drive greater integrity and deliver high-quality results for marketers is an effort we support," said Peter Naylor, SVP of Advertising Sales at Hulu. "GroupM's enhanced viewability standards are a big step forward for the entire industry."

"Establishing high viewability standards and ensuring they are brought to life in quality ad environments is of paramount importance," said Brian Benedik, Global Head of Ad Sales at Spotify. "We're proud to stand alongside major industry players like GroupM as they take this action forward."

"Viewability is at the core of all Teads' products and technology, and we are laser-focused on helping the industry's top publishers scale viewable, user-friendly video ad inventory," said Jim Daily, Global President, Teads. "We're happy to support GroupM's efforts to bring greater accountability to the industry with the roll out of their new viewability standard."

"The industry continues to strive for viewability metrics that help level the playing field between digital and TV," said Aaron Fetters, Sr. Vice President, comScore. "These enhanced metrics will help marketers properly evaluate the relative value of each screen, and the context in which a campaign is delivered. Only then can media buyers build truly cost-effective campaigns and execute on impactful cross-media strategies. We applaud GroupM's efforts and their continued focus on breaking down measurement silos to grow the pie for all parties."

"DoubleVerify applauds GroupM's continued efforts to bring quality to the forefront of the industry through media authentication standards such as viewability," said Matt McLaughlin, COO at DoubleVerify. "Through our strong relationship with GroupM, clients can keep up with the evolution of the GroupM standard from measurement to actions to billing. The DoubleVerify platform streamlines this process for clients, enabling both greater efficiency and performance."

"Our industry must work together to address our current challenges around transparency, especially when it comes to viewability," says Scott Knoll, CEO at Integral Ad Science. "That's why IAS is proud to support GroupM's new viewability standard, and applauds them for taking proactive steps to ensure their campaigns are in-view and more likely to impact consumers in a meaningful way."

"We're honored to have provided trusted, independent measurement of GroupM's trading standards from the start," said Jonah Goodhart, SVP, Oracle Data Cloud and Co-Founder of Moat. "And we're honored to continue working with WPP's media investment arm as it strives to better serve its clients around the globe. Moat and GroupM's relationship has given brands a new level of insight into consumer attention for years, and we're thrilled to continue providing the metrics that matter to brands together."

About GroupMGroupM is the leading global media investment management group serving as the parent to WPP media agencies including Mindshare, MEC, MediaCom, Maxus, Essence and m/SIX, as well as the programmatic digital media platform, Xaxis, each global operations in their own right with leading market positions. GroupM's primary purpose is to maximize the performance of WPP's media agencies by operating as leader and collaborator in trading, content creation, sports, digital, finance, and proprietary tool development. GroupM's focus is to deliver unrivaled marketplace advantage to its clients, stakeholders and people, and is increasingly working closely for the benefit of clients with WPP's data investment management group, Kantar. Together, GroupM and Kantar account for almost 50% of WPP's group revenues of nearly US$19 billion.

HONG KONG, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dragon Crown Group Holdings Limited ("Dragon Crown Group" or the "Company") (SEHK code: 935), a leading integrated terminal service provider in China, specialising in the handling and storage of liquid petrochemical products, announced the unaudited interim results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred as the "Group") for the six months ended 30 June 2017 (the "Reporting Period").

During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded a revenue of HK$113.0 million (2016: HK$129.0 million) (However, if the actual amount is expressed in Renminbi, the revenue of the Group was decreased by 8.0% from RMB108.6 million in the same period of 2016 to RMB99.9 million for the Reporting Period.) The decrease was mainly due to the depreciation of Renminbi against Hong Kong dollar and the decrease in revenue in respect of spot and individual ethylene customers. Gross profit was HK$60.8 million (2016: HK$70.8 million). The gross profit ratio was 53.8% (2016: 54.9%). Profit before tax was HK$42.7 million (2016: HK$53.8 million). Profit attributable to owners of the Company was decreased to HK$25.4 million (2016: HK$40.1 million), which was mainly due to the decrease in the Group's revenue as mentioned above and the significant increase in tax expense due to the expiry of the preferential tax treatment with 50% deduction in the corporate income tax of the Company's major subsidiary in Mainland China since 1 January 2017. Earnings per share was HK2.08 cents (2016: HK3.61 cents). The Board has declared an interim dividend of HK1.5 cents per share (2016: HK2.0 cents).

During the Reporting Period, Dragon Crown Group continued to maintain a healthy financial position. As at 30 June 2017, cash and cash equivalents reached HK$205.9 million (as at 31 December 2016: HK$208.1 million) and a low gearing ratio of 2.1% (as at 31 December 2016: 1.9%) was achieved.

During the Reporting Period, the Group has been actively exploring existing and new business relationships and collaboration opportunities. The PRC government has promulgated favourable policies to liberalise crude oil import and usage in the PRC and has therefore boosted the growth of the Shandong teapot refinery and petrochemical industries, resulting in a surge in demand for oil and chemicals terminal and storage services. The acquisition of 50% equity interest in Weifang Sime Darby Liquid Terminal Co., Ltd. ("WSDL") in January 2016 is expected to bring infinite opportunities to the Group. Weifang Liquid Terminal is the advanced national terminal with the highest safety standards. It is located at a gateway to North-eastern Asian economic powerhouses. As a strategic interchange between the Bohai Economic Basin and the Yangtze Economic Basin, Weifang Liquid Terminal can provide services to oil refineries and chemical production plants located within its 300km radius.

The construction of the first phase of the Weifang Liquid Terminal has been completed during the Reporting Period and would commence operation in the third quarter of 2017. The second phase of the Weifang Liquid Terminal is at the final stage of construction and is expected to be completed by the end of third quarter of 2017. There are already a number of oil and chemical storage partnerships being entered into with customers during the Reporting Period. Up to now, almost 90% of tank capacity for both the first and second phases have been contracted and rent out to the customers.

Mr. Ng Wai Man, Chairman of Dragon Crown Group, concluded: "As our main business objective, we have always been consolidating and enhancing our leading position in the coastal regions of China, particularly along the Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Bay regions. With the strong support of the national policies, we believe to realise the full potential of the exciting opportunities for the future development.

Looking forward, the third phase of the Weifang Liquid Terminal has just commenced its construction during the Reporting Period and is expected to be completed at the end of 2017. Several potential customers are in negotiation for renting the tank capacity in the third phase already. In addition, the completion and operation of the surrounding railway of Weifang Liquid Terminal in 2019 will definitely enhance the flexibility and reliability of the terminal, as well as convenience for customers in the future. We believe that the nationwide advanced Weifang Liquid Terminal will definitely create economic benefits to the Group in the following years, and becomes a new drive for growth of the Group. We will continue to grow, and remain committed to achieving more positive financial results and delivering greater value to our shareholders."

－End－

About Dragon Crown Group Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 935)

Founded in 1990, Dragon Crown Group Holdings Limited is one of the leading integrated terminal service providers in China, specialising in the handling and storage of liquid petrochemical products. Currently operating the terminals in Nanjing, Ningbo and Weifang, respectively. The Group offers a comprehensive range of high quality liquid petrochemical services ranging from the loading and discharging of liquid petrochemical products at its jetties to the storage of liquid petrochemical products at its tank farm, as well as the delivery of such products by utilizing its dedicated pipelines and other terminal infrastructure.

Africa's Top International Carrier Ships Second Cargo Plane Full of Food Supplies to Save Lives.

Flying to more countries than any other airline, Turkish Airlines is a leader in terms of international destinations served and Africa's top international carrier with 51 routes in the continent. And now, the award-winning carrier is quickly becoming a leader in giving back to those countries - in some of the challenging places in the world.

Supporting with the group Love Army for Somalia (spearheaded by social media stars Jerome Jarre, Casey Neistat and actor Ben Stiller), Turkish Airlines is involved in delivering aid to fight famine and drought in Somalia. Hundreds of tons of supplies have been delivered to the people of Somalia since the beginning of the movement in March, 2017.

The airline that connects continents, cultures and peoples is a well-known brand with its corporate responsibility projects throughout Africa. Recent projects realized by Turkish Airlines in 24 African countries include building and renovating schools, orphanages, clinics as well as providing education and drilling water wells. Setting up solar panels for clinics situated out of urban areas and cooperating with local authorities and hospitals to provide medical aid are also among Turkish Airlines' corporate responsibility projects.

As the only international airline that flies to Somalia, Turkish Airlines has a unique access to getting much-needed emergency food support to the country, which is suffering from a devastating drought. Millions of children are at immediate risk of severe malnutrition.

When social media celebrity Jerome Jarre sent a Tweet asking Turkish Airlines directly whether they would send a cargo plane filled with food to Somalia, the company responded quickly - with a resounding yes. That first delivery took place in March, where 60 tons of nutritional supplements designed specifically for kids were sent to Mogadishu for immediate distribution.

Now, they're at it again. Another shipment of food, an additional 60 tons of the nutritional supplements for children, has been delivered to Somalia on Tuesday, August 15th.

Speaking on the occasion, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Mr. M. İlker Aycı said; "As the first call of help to Somalia echoed in social media, Turkish Airlines immediately took notice. We gladly joined the global movement #LoveArmyForSomalia, contributing a cargo flight as well as food and supplies to the people of Somalia. Now, we are doing it again, this time delivering 60 tons of special food for Somalian children. As we take pride in connecting Africa to the world, we also take pride in our corporate responsibility projects that extend a helping hand to the African people."

Sharing his views on the global movement, the social media star Jerome Jarre said that; "What is fueling this movement are people around the world coming together. We are united by the idea that anything is possible if we work together to make it happen."

Following the supplies arrival in Mogadishu, non-governmental organizations including the ARC have provided logistics and guidance on the ground, ensuring that the lifesaving supplements reach the most at-need children and their families.

As the only international airline flying to Somalia, Turkish Airlines will continue to stand by the people of Somalia in their time of need.

TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading Testing & Certification and Standards Development Organization (SDO), CSA Group is pleased to announce the development of a C450 – currently available as an Express Document (EXP450) – that helps to address the lack of uniform testing requirements in the Photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing industry.

To best ensure the level of quality required for photovoltaic (PV) modules to last to an upwards of 20 years, manufacturers have often had to rely on their own set of protocols. This lack of a uniform set of requirements in the industry often creates ambiguity and can lead to decreased functionality, greater costs for manufacturers and a lack of consumer confidence.

CSA Group addressed these significant issues by facilitating the development of C450 - Photovoltaic (PV) Module Testing Protocol for Quality Assurance Programs which consolidates all of the protocols into one comprehensive guide. With EXP450 currently available in PDF format from the CSA Group online store, CSA Group is actively working on gaining an ANSI standard (C450) for the testing protocol, to demonstrate further consensus into the need and importance of such a program.

Replacing multiple protocols with one test brings significant benefits to manufacturers including: reduced costs; ease in comparing data; and potential reduction in test backlogs. In addition, the document is designed to be flexible and can be quickly updated as new test methods are developed and validated, so any advances in PV testing technology can quickly be incorporated.

C450 was developed using a bi-national committee of stakeholder experts - representing manufacturers, testing bodies, research firms and financiers from both the United States and Canada. It establishes testing requirements based on industry best practices, helps identify potential problems with new manufacturing equipment and facilities and provides data for ongoing quality monitoring programs after validation testing.

CSA Group's testing capabilities are designed to provide full scope testing of PV modules to latest testing protocols. Testing programs based on C450 are offered through in its state-of-the-art solar labs in Albuquerque, NM and Kunshan, China.

About CSA Group

CSA Group is one of the largest standards development organizations in North America, conducting research and developing standards for a broad range of technologies and functional areas. For more information about CSA Group, please visit www.csagroup.org.

SANTA CLARA, California, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- By 2025, the healthcare industry is expected to look extraordinarily different from today. New treatment paradigms which integrate elements of prediction, prevention, and automation to make care more affordable and efficient are required. In addition, many disruptions expected with the convergence of stakeholders will influence each care segment in the next decade along with the demand for consumer engagement in healthcare which has never been larger.

During the Transformational Health Think Tank, taking place in the afternoon from 1.45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., a phenomenal group of healthcare pioneers together with Frost & Sullivan's global team will provide their perspectives on how to overcome key market challenges and be ready to shape the future of Healthcare. Our keynotes will discuss trending topics such as digital health, medical devices, consumer-driven healthcare, digital therapeutics, precision medicine, genomics, and health data.

"By 2025, new partnerships and ecosystem development will be essential in order to revamp care delivery and create solutions that will support the evolution from 'sickcare' to healthcare to health," explains Greg Caressi, Transformational Health Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan, who will conduct the industry Think Tank. "By bringing together a variety of stakeholders at an event focused on cross-industry innovation, we will be able as a group to take significant steps along the path to advancing the vision that companies should follow to be successful in this transition."

The following industry thought leaders will present their insights throughout the event with exclusive presentations, a case study and interactive panels:

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

This Year's Competition Requires Participants to Think About the Future and Develop a Transport/Mobility Concept for the City of Los Angeles' Bid to Host the 2060 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The LA Auto Show® and AutoMobility LA™ announced today the theme for this year's "Design & Developer Challenge presented by Microsoft," taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday, November 29. Entitled "Smarter L.A. 2060," competition organizers and Microsoft are inviting leading automotive, transportation, mobility, technology, architecture and design companies to tap their most creative teams to imagine what life would be like in Los Angeles if it were to host the 2060 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Set in the year 2053, the theme focuses on the City of Los Angeles' bid to host its fourth Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the year 2060. In its presentation to the International Olympic Committee, the city must include a smart transportation/mobility plan that outlines how 20 million citizens, athletes, volunteers, dignitaries and visitors will get around Los Angeles using new and existing public, private and alternate modes of transportation/mobility.

"This year we are inviting automotive designers and mobility innovators to collaborate with architects, designers and urban planners, with a mission of inspiring the creation of smarter cities and ecosystems of the future," said Bryan Biniak, Nokia Growth Partners EIR, and emcee for this year's competition. "AutoMobility LA's annual Design & Developer Challenge facilitates a unique opportunity for designers and inventors to collaborate with the City of Los Angeles, the LA Auto Show, and lead the year's mobility conversation."

Describe what "smarter" cities, mobility and venues are. How do they differ from their "smart" predecessors of the early 21st Century?

How will the vehicles and infrastructure of Los Angeles change to accommodate for vertical transportation and level-five autonomy or greater?

As we delve deeper into the Age of Internet of Things (IoT), what sort of experiences will athletes, fans and citizens from around the world…and beyond…to be able to have during the 2060 Olympics? How about those with special needs?

Describe the experiences that the L.A. Convention & Visitors Bureau and the International Olympic Committee will use to market (mass and target, respectively) the Games in Los Angeles to athletes, visitors and locals.

Embrace the three modern Olympic values (Friendship, Respect and Excellence) along with the four Paralympic values (Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality).

Teams that submit their concepts by October 31, will have the opportunity to present their plan in front of industry and media professionals attending this year's AutoMobility LA, including an esteemed panel of judges. Immediately following the presentations, the judging panel will select the winning team – based on a variety of criteria – and present the winner with the Judges' Pick award.

Alongside the Judges' Pick (to be awarded on Nov. 29), teams will have two additional opportunities to win an honor, including the Industry Pick award, which offers industry and media professionals the opportunity to see the entrants' plans on automobilityla.com and vote for their favorite online. Additionally, the People's Pick award allows LA Auto Show attendees and fans around the world to vote for their favorite plan on laautoshow.com. Online voting will end on December 10, followed by the announcement of this year's winner(s) of the Industry Pick and People's Pick awards on December 11.

"Connected vehicles and smart infrastructure technology will lead to a new era of smart mobility that redefines transportation as we know it," said Doug Seven, Head of Azure IoT Mobility including the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform. "At Microsoft, we are not just focused on the near future, but also on supporting creative ideas that will impact the world for decades to come. We are thrilled to sponsor this year's Design & Developer Challenge and support some of the brightest minds in imagining the future of transportation and connectivity."

Co-sponsored by Autodesk and Lacks Enterprises, the 2017 Design & Developer Challenge presented by Microsoft will take place in the Technology Pavilion (along with the design panel, exhibits, awards and industry social). All AutoMobility LA attendees and Design & Developer Challenge participants will be able to witness this year's Challenge presentations, vehicle debuts and have access to the exhibit floors inside the Technology Pavilion and Los Angeles Convention Center.

Hosted within the epicenter of automotive design and innovation, the Design & Developer Challenge is the world's only annual competition for automakers' advanced designers and developers. Over the past dozen years, a diverse mix of automotive, entertainment and consumer brands have participated, including BMW Group Designworks USA, Crayola, Fandango, Honda Advanced Design Studio, Lego and Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center.

Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show®) is the first major North American auto show of the season each year. In 2016, the show's Press & Trade Days merged with the Connected Car Expo (CCE) to become AutoMobility LATM, the industry's first trade show converging the technology and automotive industries to launch new products and technologies and to discuss the most pressing issues surrounding the future of transportation and mobility. AutoMobility LA 2017 will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center Nov. 27-30, with manufacturer vehicle debuts intermixed. LA Auto Show 2017 will be open to the public Dec. 1-10. AutoMobility LA is where the new auto industry gets business done, unveils groundbreaking new products and makes strategic announcements in front of media and industry professionals from around the globe. LA Auto Show is endorsed by the Greater L.A. New Car Dealer Association and is operated by ANSA Productions. To receive the latest show news and information, follow LA Auto Show on Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow, via Facebook at facebook.com/LAAutoShow or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/laautoshow/ and sign up for alerts at http://www.laautoshow.com/. For more information about AutoMobility LA, please visit http://www.automobilityla.com/.

AAPEX 2017 is expected to feature 2,200 exhibiting companies and will take place fromTuesday, Oct. 31 through Thursday, Nov. 2. Approximately 158,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from more than 140 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX and the SEMA Show. AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

HANSUN, a Taiwan-based manufacturer dedicated to providing quality window regulators, with over twenty-seven years of design and manufacturing experience, is ISO/TS16949 certified and holds all required quality certificates. With headquarters located in Changhua, Taiwan, HANSUN services more than 100 customers globally in 30 countries.

Boosting productivity and improving the manufacturing process provides a competitive advantage in the automotive aftermarket industry for HANSUN. The company implements the most advanced technologies and standardizes its manufacturing process to automate factory processes, increasing production efficiency and product quality. Every link in the manufacturing process (product design and development, packing and transportation) is inspected throughout development.

An ISO/TS16949 certified Taiwan manufacturer of Window Regulators, HANSUN is a leading supplier of Window Regulators to the Automotive Aftermarket. With more than 27 years of professional experience in design and manufacturing, HANSUN provides quality window regulators. HANSUN, headquartered in Changhua, Taiwan, has a full-service Distribution Center, Supex Auto Parts Inc., in Ontario, California, USA to support the needs of retailers, warehouse distributors and repair shops.

SANTA CLARA, California, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vehicle purchasing by women in North America is rapidly increasing. Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealerships are racing to develop compelling new value-added services and business strategies to harness varied preferences. Their success will depend on developing targeted marketing in social media and smart retail outlets that offer women a first-hand experience of the vehicle and its unique features and capabilities.

Frost & Sullivan's analysis titled, Women as Vehicle Customers – Voice of North America Consumer Findings, examines the growing trend of North American (United States and Canada) women vehicle purchases and the factors they consider while making their buying decisions across three different categories: design and technology, sales and retails, and vehicle ownership. Preferences among different age groups of women and opportunities for dealerships and automotive OEMs to improve customer satisfaction are also presented.

"By 2020, 40 percent of women will consider digital retail platforms, automotive OEMs' websites and showrooms at dealerships, as their main source of information when considering a vehicle purchase," said Frost & Sullivan Mobility Research Manager Vishwas Shankar. "Vehicle buying preferences vary significantly among women of different age groups; the majority female vehicle seekers are more internet-savvy and prefer luxury sports cars rather than regular, personalized vehicles."

A major challenge for automotive OEMs is understanding what women customers want in vehicles. Even if the vehicles are designed to reflect a woman's personality, women feel that the process of vehicle buying is extremely cumbersome, hence a major revamp of the entire vehicle buying process is essential to better suit women customers.

Developing dealerships in shopping malls with play areas to increase the footfall of women visiting dealerships;

Driving sales through a focus on reliability, fuel economy, and safety improvement across cars, SUVs, and sedans;

Partnering with financial technology companies online to help improve customer experience and sales, and make the process of vehicle financing less intimidating; and

Launching specific vehicle models that target women and offering women-centric interior features for SUVs and sedans.

"Overall, women are less likely to be early adopters of new vehicle technology and give importance to powertrain; they are more likely to seek safety, manoeuvrability, and automatic vehicle access," noted Shankar.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Women as Vehicle Customers—Voice of North America Consumer Findings, 2016K19F-18

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The surveillance industry has long since moved away from the analogue CCTV systems of old. The system integrator now faces new requirements that far surpass simply recording and storing video. To meet these increasing demands for faster speeds, higher quality and easier integration, Innodisk can now offer flexible solutions specifically aimed at the modern surveillance industry.

High Data Transfer Speeds

Emerging features such as facial recognition and on-the-fly data analytics require surveillance systems to rapidly record, analyze and respond to changes. Operations such as recording and data analysis happen on top of one another -- requiring a system that is both fast and that can handle simultaneous read/write operations. These operations are taxing on the system, but can be reliably handled with high-speed modules, such as 3MV2-P flash product series and the Unbuffered LONG DIMM/ SODIMM DRAM series available in speeds up to 2666 MT/s.

High Quality Recording

In addition to high speeds, video quality is paramount. This means stable, high quality recording even when the system handles simultaneous operations. With sharp and clear images the identification process is made much faster. Innodisk proprietary RECLine™ SSD firmware optimization is the cornerstone of our surveillance setup. By keeping the sustained write speed high and stable, this feature enables recording with minimal frame loss.

A Simplified Approach

As replacing systems can be costly, upgrading might be a more affordable alternative. The Innodisk Power over Ethernet (PoE) cards offers a robust system expansion where both power and signal can be sent through the same wiring to a multitude of surveillance devices. Together with small form factors and flexible connection alternatives, this solution offers a simple and easy system upgrade. The Innodisk EGPL-G2P1 and EMPL-G2P1 both offer reliable PoE integration into any surveillance system.

The Modern Surveillance Approach

With ever increasing computational power, the things that are possible to achieve with a surveillance setup is limitless. But this is only possible with powerful hardware to back it up. High speed data transfer, simultaneous operations and stable recording quality enables the operator to fully implement a modern surveillance system. Innodisk can provide an elegant and easily implemented solution that meets all the requirements for a modern and efficient surveillance system.

About Innodisk

Featured on Forbes' Asia's 200 Best Under A Billion companies, Innodisk is a service-driven provider of flash memory, DRAM modules and embedded peripheral products for the industrial and enterprise applications. With satisfied customers across the embedded, aerospace and defense, cloud storage markets and more, we have set ourselves apart with a commitment to provide customizable, dependable solutions and unparalleled service.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Innodisk supports clients globally with engineering support and sales teams in mainland China, Europe, Japan, and the United States. For more information about Innodisk, please visit http://www.innodisk.com.

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STWCPRHTSITEPDTThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185526-0.shtmlNEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Fresh Taiwan" project, launched by the Ministry of Culture has showcased Taiwanese creative brands at various major shows around the world through the "Fresh Taiwan" pavilion which has been organized by Taiwan Design Center since 2012. Last year, Fresh Taiwan participated in NY Now for the first time, and was a big hit among visitors, successfully triggering the American market's interests in Taiwanese brands. Chord&Major's high-end headsets are now available in New York Opera House, and the company has successfully expanded to other stores and distribution channels. Daqi Concept's birdcage-shaped bluetooth speaker has been chosen to the iconic MoMA gift shop; HMM also successfully gained the recognition of renowned men's fashion brand Kenneth Cole. This year, Fresh Taiwan will be exhibited at NY NOW again, and the delegation is headlined by three Taiwanese coffee brewing instrument brands. Fresh Taiwan will also showcase Taiwanese coffee beans, aiming to further explore the coffee-loving American market.

FRESH TAIWAN at NY NOW 2017

Fresh Coffee Bar -- Experiential Display Attracts American Buyers

In recent years, the trend of hand drip coffee has taken Taiwan by storm. Consumers now pay more and more attention to the quality of coffee. Many Taiwanese brands have taken advantage of the popular trend and launched coffee brewing instrument. This year's Fresh Taiwan pavilion specially features a bar area for fresh hand drip Taiwanese coffee to also display coffee brewing instrument. The rich coffee fragrance will attract American buyers, and facilitate more business. "TOAST" is a design brand founded by second-generation owner of the established domestic stainless steel brand Day & Day Trading Corporation. The H.A.N.D. series featured at the pavilion this year has clean and elegant design and is made of the popular material copper. "bi.du.haev" is a collection of high-end coffee brewing products launched by Happiness.Key, combining Oblik hand drip coffee base with cement to create artwork-like brewing instrument. The "bi.du.haev" cold brew system sets new aesthetic standard for cold brew coffee dripper. The system, made of glass, turns the dripping process into an art performance, where the innovative design abandons traditional frame to save space. HMM also exhibits Sqoop coffee spoon, Gaze hand drip coffee filter set, and Mugr mug with wooden handle, introducing products for all aspects of the coffee brewing process.

From Dinning Table to Study -- Satisfying the Needs of Quality Modern Life

In addition to coffee brewing instrument, brands participating in this year's Fresh Taiwan comprehensively satisfy all needs of quality modern life from dining table to study. "Shiang Design" cooperates with ceramics factories in Yingge to present the Plate-R oval plate, challenging the limit of the art of ceramics with the 0.5 cm body and shrunken edge and creating the minimalist plate with a sense of buoyancy. The egg-shaped boxes of the Landscape series by "Danzo" create sceneries on tabletop with aluminum alloy, consumers can freely choose to put hills, valleys, volcanoes, and waterfalls on their table, creating personalized tabletop corners. "Singular Concept" launches the Linear lamp, cooperating with Taiwan Railways Administration's electric multiple unit train manufacturer to create the design of curved thin tube, and presenting an exquisite LED light that exhibits a techno style.

Young Designers' Playful Innovations of Materials Selected to the Theme Show

The coaster and dessert plate from Studio Lim's fiber woodenware series are made of environmental-friendly linen fiber the designer learned about when studying at Royal College of Art, and feature Taiwan's local lacquer craft. The coaster and dessert plate have been selected to the theme show at this year's NY Now entitled "Sustainability," which has a strict selection process. "fyber forma" is a fashion brand established by second-generation owner of an apparel manufacturer, and is one of the first five companies around the world to use Dupont's patented Tyvek material. The lightweight material is waterproof and tear resistant, and has been used for handbags and shopping bags for its paper-like texture. The designer overcame challenges in coloring and sewing, creating unique personalized style using the innovative material.

Toys for Adults and Children Inspire Playful Spirit

Bookshelf designed by Chihong is inspired by swing, fusing into the design the shape of swing and the concept of swinging to make reading more fun, providing a fun and imaginative space in rapid-paced and stressful everyday life. "eguchi toys" is a brand founded by Japanese designer Eguchi Kentaro, who moved to Taiwan after marrying his Taiwanese wife; the couple run a Montessori kindergarten, and became interested in making toys for children. The Pelican series featuring fine craftsmanship are toys made of wood with warm and vibrant colors, and their exquisiteness has impressed many foreign buyers!

Participating in NY Now for the Second Time -- Continues to Explore the American Market

NY Now is held twice a year (January and August). Founded in 1928, it celebrates its 89th anniversary this year. Not just in the United States, NY Now has become one of world's most renowned gift and consumer goods shows, comparable to Ambiente Frankfurt and Maison & Objet Paris. The show features three sections: Home, Lifestyle, and Handmade, and every year, it attracts over 100,000 items in over 400 categories by 2,500 exhibitors from around the world, as well as over 55,000 professional buyers and visitors from 74 countries and all over the United States.

This year, Fresh Taiwan participates in NY Now for the second time, and with fine products, the pavilion has successfully been selected to the Accent on Design section that emphasizes innovation, originality, and new products after going through a strict reviewing process. Professional buyers always pay much attention to this section. This year's Fresh Taiwan features coffee brewing instrument, From Dinning Table to Study, and toys, keeping pace with the quality of life pursued by modern people. All products meet the American market's needs for Christmas gifts, and the pavilion will continue building on the success of last year to gain more exposure for Taiwanese brands and achieve greater results.

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BEVHHPHOUNABTDSThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185525-0.shtmlSHENZHEN, China, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Huntkey is a leading global power solution's provider. Its main products include power supplies, chargers, home appliances and smart power strips. Recently the new universal power strip SZM307 received a review from NCN, a famous media company in the IT industry in India.

The SZM307 is equipped with three universal sockets and two USB charging ports. The universal sockets allows different standards of plugs to be plugged in, and the 2.1A USB ports can charge two iPhones simultaneously at the same speed of the original charger.

The panel of the SZM307 is made from the material that boasts high insulation, favorable impact resistance, and 750 degrees Celsius flame retardancy - this means the panel will not catch fire under 750 degrees Celsius.

The internal structure shows us the quality of the SZM307 more intuitively. Without being welded, the integral copper bar can completely eliminate security problems caused by empty solder and leakage solder, thereby improving the safety and durability of the power strip, and it can reduce "heat up" leading to lower energy costs. Some brands are still using welded copper wire of poor quality inside the power strip, leaving some hidden dangers in daily electricity application.

Huntkey Enterprise Group, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Shenzhen, is a member of The International Power Supply Manufacturer's Association (PSMA) and a member of The China Power Supply Society (CPSS). With branch companies in the USA, Japan and other areas, and cooperating factories in Brazil, Argentina, India and other countries, Huntkey has specialized in the development, design, and manufacturing of PC power supplies, industrial power supplies, surge protectors, adapters and chargers for many years. With its own technologies and manufacturing strength, Huntkey has served Lenovo, Huawei, Haier, DELL, ZTE, Bestbuy and many other large enterprises for years, and has received unanimous recognition and trust from many of its customers.

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HRDCPRCSEECPThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185523-0.shtml
- Travelers will be able to fly directly from Chengdu to both US coasts

BEIJING, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hainan Airlines is scheduled to launch non-stop service between Chengdu and New York on October 26, 2017. Following the roll-out of the Chengdu-Los Angeles service, this will be Hainan Airlines' second direct flight from Chengdu to North America. With the new service, travelers will be able to fly directly from Chengdu to both the East and West coasts of the US via Hainan Airlines.

The route will be serviced by a Boeing B787 Dreamliner with spacious cabins. Business Class passengers will be provided with 180-degree lie-flat seating with an in-seat massage feature. Passengers in all classes will have access to premium onboard amenities and a gourmet selection of Western and Oriental meals. Hainan Airlines will provide travelers choosing the new route with a variety of all-inclusive travel packages as well as, for Business Class passengers, private limo service, assuring each passenger a convenient and pleasurable experience.

Hainan Airlines has, to date, launched 12 direct routes from mainland China to eight destinations in North America, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, etc. The new Chengdu-New York and Chongqing-New York services to be launched in October will give Hainan Airlines the distinction of being the Chinese carrier operating the most routes between the US and China.

Hainan Airlines' Chengdu-New York Flight Schedule (all times are local):

Season

Flight No.

Aircraft

Days

Departure City

Arrival City

Departure Time

Arrival Time

Dates

Summer-

Autumn

HU7915

787

Thursday, Saturday

Chengdu

New York

10:00 pm

00:50 am+1

Oct. 26, 2017-Oct. 28, 2017

HU7916

787

Friday, Sunday

New York

Chengdu

2:50 am

5:55 am+1

Oct. 26, 2017-Oct. 28, 2017

Winter-Spring

HU7915

787

Tuesday, Saturday

Chengdu

New York

10:00 pm

00:50 am+1

Oct. 29, 2017-Nov. 4, 2017

10:00 pm

11:50 pm

Nov. 5, 2017-Mar. 10, 2018

HU7916

787

Wednesday, Sunday

New York

Chengdu

2:50 am

5:55 am+1

Oct. 29, 2017-Nov. 4, 2017

1:50 am

5:55 am+1

Nov. 5, 2017-Mar. 10, 2018

Note: The flight information displayed above only applies to the initial launch of the new service. Specific timetables can be confirmed on Hainan Airlines' official website. For more information, please call the 24/7 hotline at 95339 (within China) or 888-688-8813 for English service ,888-688-8876 for Chinese service(within North America), or visit the Hainan Airlines website at www.hnair.com.

CMT has introduced a range of solutions that meet customer demand for less expensive, smaller, more portable, and higher performing VNAs

SANTA CLARA, California, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the universal serial bus (USB) vector network analyzer (VNA) industry, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Copper Mountain Technologies (CMT) with the 2017 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Leadership. The imminent move of many Internet of Things (IoT) technologies from research to commercialization is expected to drive the demand for lower cost instrumentation over the next 5 to 10 years. CMT is well positioned to make the most of this opportunity with a strong and established USB VNA offering that is coupled with superior customer support spanning customer service, software development, and customization.

"CMT distinguishes itself from the competition by offering quality measurement VNAs that provide reliable results, yet are small, can be simply integrated into systems, and are more affordable than traditional analyzers," said Frost & Sullivan Industry Director Jessy Cavazos. "In addition, CMT places due emphasis on providing outstanding support to Tier II and Tier III customers that do not have the need or the means to afford high-end VNA solutions from incumbents."

The company has set up a dedicated team of engineers to respond to customer questions. Its software production team writes test and production automation software for running customers' entire test process, test results sorting and storage, work order generation, work order status recording, labeling, and part number assignments.

CMT has also increased its focus on customization in the past year. Because it does not have a computer inside the VNA box, it is not limited by a computer or screen size, dials, and buttons. CMT can easily move modules and PC boards, thereby changing the form factor, type, and location of connectors to meet specific customer requirements.

CMT has expanded its product portfolio of USB VNAs to include various models of different performance, size, and price points. Its portfolio of VNAs is comprised of:

1-port VNAs, also known as reflectometers or cable and antenna analyzers, with four models that range in frequency from 1 MHz to 18 GHz

Compact, which scores high in form factor while still providing sufficient performance for many customers, includes six models ranging in frequency from 9 kHz to 8.5 GHz

Planar, a full-size VNA product line that includes four models ranging in frequency from 100 kHz to 8 GHz

Cobalt product linesâ€"its flagship linesâ€"which include 12 models ranging in frequency from 100 kHz to 20 GHz; the company also offers the CobaltFX system, which is a high-performing and affordable millimeter-wave solution up to 110 GHz.

Significantly, the company has a dedicated metrology group that focuses on temperature stability and measurement accuracy during the design phase of the instruments. This guarantees that solutions will perform as per the specifications.

CMT's current customer base primarily consists of companies involved in research activities. However, users are increasingly employing USB VNAs in the production and deployment space as IoT products move from the research and development to the manufacturing phase.

"The higher adoption of USB VNA is also driven by the rising costs of tests and customer awareness of the ways in which USB instrumentation can help them be more cost efficient," noted Ms. Cavazos. "CMT has optimally tapped this demand by partnering with companies in allied industries. This strategy has not only enhanced its value proposition to customers, but also set it up for future growth in the USB VNA industry."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Copper Mountain TechnologiesCopper Mountain Technologies develops innovative and robust RF test and measurement solutions for engineers all over the world. The company was created in 2011 and is based in Indianapolis, IN with a sales office in Singapore. Our innovative products and partnership approach enable RF and Microwave engineers to realize their potential through access to lab-grade instrumentation at affordable prices. Our world-class metrology and engineering resources work as an extension of your team.

Copper Mountain Technologies' VNAs include an RF measurement module and a software application which runs on any Windows PC, laptop or tablet, connecting to the measurement hardware via USB interface. The user can take advantage of the latest OS, processing power, larger display, and reliable performance of an external PC, as well as lower total cost of ownership and simplified maintenance of the analyzer. The result is a faster, more effective test process that fits into the modern workspace in lab, production, field and secure testing environments. This creative approach made Copper Mountain Technologies a leader in the industry and earned them both the 2015 Frost & Sullivan Global Leadership in Innovation Award and the 2017 Product Leadership Award.

CMT engineers push the boundaries of convention when they develop VNAs. They use the latest available technologies and components, and continuously improve product selection and service. As an RF test and measurement leader, CMT contributes their technical and metrology expertise to solving your challenging problems. The goal is to help engineers and developers extend their reach by equipping them with cutting-edge test instruments that are highly accurate, small, lightweight, and affordable.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

SEATTLE, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ofo, the world's leading station-free bike-sharing company, announced its North American launch today, with Seattle as its first official city.

The global bike-sharing company, valued at over $2 billion, offers riders a convenient, flexible bike-sharing model that rids users of the limitations of docking stations. ofo's phone application and smart lock technology allow riders to rent and park bikes anywhere that complies with local laws.

Connecting more than 8 million bikes in more than 170 cities across seven countries, ofo generates over 25 million transactions per day. Founded in 2014, the company has provided upwards of 3 billion rides to over 100 million global users.

"Station-free bike-sharing was ofo's pioneering concept that changed the nature of the sharing economy and transportation options in cities across the globe," said Dai Wei, 26, founder and CEO of ofo. "There is a need for this type of transportation solution worldwide. Our mission is to solve the 'last mile' transportation problem in urban areas, and we see immense potential in the U.S. for ofo's convenient, affordable and low-carbon way of travel."

In July, ofo announced a global partnership with mobile payment platform Ayden, allowing customers to use one set of payment credentials to pay for rides anywhere that ofo operates worldwide. Users can download the ofo app and scan the QR code to unlock the bike. When the trip is completed, users will be charged $1 for a ride up to one hour. As in all other cities where it operates, ofo will have local, on-the-ground maintenance and management staff to assist with bike parking and repairs.

ofo received a permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation to bring 1,000 bicycles to the city's streets in August as part of a pilot, with the intention to serve the entire city of Seattle by increasing the fleet after September.

"We will be working in close coordination with government officials to ensure that ofo becomes a valuable part of the lives of Seattle residents," said Grace Lin, vice president of ofo U.S. "As the world's leading bike-sharing company, we are thrilled about starting our service in Seattle and hope to continue to expand our U.S. footprint."

ofo raised $700 million in its Series E funding, led by Alibaba, Hony Capital and CITIC Private Equity, in July this year.

ABOUT OFO

Founded in 2014, ofo is the world's first and largest station-free bicycle-sharing platform. ofo was created for sharing and aims to unlock every corner of the world by making bikes accessible to everyone. As of today, ofo has connected more than 8 million bikes in over 170 cities across seven countries, has been generating more than 25 million daily transactions and has provided over 100 million global users with 3 billion efficient, convenient and green rides.

SANTA FE, New Mexico, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenEye Scientific Software, Inc., an innovative developer of molecular modeling and cheminformatics solutions, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc., to provide Orion, OpenEye's new cloud platform, to the company's Medicinal Sciences division. Orion will equip chemists with all of OpenEye's software, extensive tools for data visualization and communication, useful data sources and customizable, task-oriented workflows, all in a robust, scalable, cloud environment.

"We believe that Orion has the potential to revolutionize how computation is delivered to the pharmaceutical industry," said Dr. Anthony Nicholls, CEO and founder of OpenEye Scientific Software, Inc. "Orion marries the immense resource of cloud computing services, with our insights, science and tools from two decades of helping customers. It continues and expands our tradition of computing at scale, reliable, predictive science and facilitating local innovation. As an open, collaborative platform for both industry and academia we think it can enhance the drug discovery process."

OpenEye has built a reputation as a scientific leader in the field of molecular design based on two decades of delivering useful applications and programming toolkits. Our scientific approach has focused on the power of molecular 3D structure to inform and guide, in particular via the concept of shape similarity. We have changed industry perception of what is possible with the speed, robustness and scalability of our tools and have recently built these into a ground-up, cloud-native platform, Orion. Combining unlimited computation and storage with powerful tools for data sharing, visualization and analysis in an open development platform, Orion offers unprecedented capabilities for drug discovery and optimization. OpenEye Scientific is a privately held company headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, Cologne, Germany, Strasbourg, France and Tokyo, Japan. For further information on the company and its products, see www.eyesopen.com.

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BIOSTWHEAMTCPHALICThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185522-0.shtmlHONG KONG, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hang Lung Properties is set to mark a historic milestone in the history of its flagship Shanghai project, Plaza 66, to celebrate the completion of a mega-scale transformation that is set to redefine the realm of luxury retail in mainland China.

Plaza 66 in Shanghai, an iconic landmark as well as Hang Lung Properties’ flagship project in mainland China, will mark a historic milestone with a world-class celebration on September 8, 2017.

Plaza 66 has just undertaken a large-scale asset enhancement initiative to provide an enhanced shopping environment and introduce an array of international brands that will suit the tastes and needs of young, affluent patrons, reaffirming its unique positioning as the Home to Luxury in mainland China.

Plaza 66, an iconic landmark in Shanghai, widely recognized as being at the very pinnacle of success among commercial complexes in mainland China, has undertaken a monumental asset enhancement initiative that will see this landmark of luxury continue to shine for years to come. In addition to a focus on optimizing the shopping environment, Plaza 66 is also welcoming a host of dazzling new international brands and new luxury flagship stores to China, consolidating the mall's unique position as the Home to Luxury on the Mainland.

On September 8, a world-class celebration will take place at Plaza 66 hosted by Hang Lung Chairman, Mr. Ronnie C. Chan; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Philip Chen; esteemed members of the Board of Directors; and the senior management of Hang Lung Properties. Joining the party will be a host of senior executives from international brands, Hang Lung's business partners and investors, as well as local and overseas media guests.

The stunning transformation was spearheaded by US-based architecture firm, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). Warm lighting illuminates the luster of the bronze and gold features used to create a unique ambiance that is contemporary, comfortable, and opulent as it unfolds its luxury into an extended retail gallery and expansive public enclosures. The epitome of sophisticated lifestyle and taste, Plaza 66 is home to over 100 of the world's most eminent fashion houses and their China flagship stores, including Berluti, Bottega Veneta, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Dior, Hermes, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Prada, Van Cleef & Arpels, and many more – a 100% occupancy rate of pure luxury. The renovated B1 floor also welcomes a number of new exciting brands, some of which are making their debut in China, such as Valextra and Chiara Ferragni. The completed transformation has already started to bring about very favorable results in both revenue and retail sales during the first half of 2017.

An unmissable highlight of the celebration party will be the 66 Showcase, in which these most revered brands will unveil an alluring vision of indulgence for the modern generation of affluent patrons in their Fall/ Winter 2017 collections and limited, exclusive lines.

In its seamless integration of modern luxury with high fashion and fine dining, Plaza 66 once again breaks the mold as the quintessential window on the world of opulence and grandeur in China, where the young, affluent elite and connoisseurs of refined living can indulge in an exquisitely curated encounter with luxury.

About Plaza 66, Shanghai

Located at 1266, Nanjing Xi Lu, the most vibrant shopping destination in Shanghai's Jing'an District, Plaza 66 spans a total gross floor area of over 270,000 square meters. As an iconic landmark in Shanghai, Plaza 66 has established itself at the pinnacle of the Mainland luxury commercial property market and has been the recipient of a host of awards that place it among the most successful commercial complexes in mainland China.

Plaza 66 is well-known as the centerpiece of Shanghai's luxury fashion and lifestyle market, with 100% occupancy. The mall houses over 100 world-renowned luxury brands and its tenant mix is a kaleidoscope of the world's most prestigious brands including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Cartier, along with lifestyle and dining offerings that cater to the refined tastes of the young and vibrant elite. Plaza 66 has built its unique position as the Home to Luxury and an unparalleled symbol of affluence and style of distinguished service to its discerning clientele.

Soaring 66 and 48 stories respectively, the two esteemed office towers have a total gross floor area of nearly 160,000 square meters, occupied by prominent local and international corporations which have established their regional presence at this illustrious address. Furthermore, Plaza 66 is equipped with a car park spanning an area of around 60,000 square meters, providing more than 800 car parking spaces underground for tenants and customers. Along with the completion of its asset enhancement program, Plaza 66 will launch a series of marketing initiatives, a VIC program, and a menu of exclusive services to further strengthen its unique positioning as Shanghai's Home to Luxury; always going the extra mile to extend its leading position in the market.

About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (HKSE stock code: 00101), a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index and Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Indices in Hong Kong, is a leading real estate developer operating in Hong Kong and mainland China. Boasting a diversified portfolio of investment properties in Hong Kong, the Company has progressively branched out into the Mainland since the 1990s, with our distinctive footprint now fully established in Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming and Wuhan, with all the Mainland projects carrying the "66" brand. As Hang Lung's business continues to grow, the Company is set to develop into a highly admired national commercial property developer in China.

"Most end users are reducing capital expenditure investment in new equipment and are more likely to spend on refurbishing or servicing their installed pumps," said Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation & Process Control Research Analyst Anand M. Gnanamoorthy. "To gain a competitive edge, maritime pump manufacturers should offer aftersales service packages such as integrated pump system bundles."

Opportunity Analysis for Suppliers in the Marine Pumps Market, Forecast to 2023, new analysis from Frost & Sullivan's Industrial Automation & Process Control Growth Partnership Service programme, finds that the global marine pumps market generated revenues of $427 million in 2016 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 percent through 2023. The study provides an analysis of current and expected market developments, drivers, restraints, and revenue forecasts across segments. Market share and competitive landscape for major players such as Colfax, Wartsila, Xylem, KSB, Pentair, Grundfos, and SPX are provided.

Click here for complimentary access to more information on this analysis and to register for a Growth Strategy Dialogue, a free interactive briefing with Frost & Sullivan's thought leaders.

Despite continued uncertainties in the global economy and volatile fuel prices affecting overall profitability of the marine pumps market, moderate growth is expected in the next six years due to an increase in global trade and investment in shipyard builds in China, South Korea, and Japan. Regional trends driving growth include:

Investment in shipbuilding, including merchant and passenger vessels, in Asia-Pacific;

Unprecedented growth in China's cruise industry due to a growing middle-class population;

Rapid development of ports and access to new customers through valuable shipping trade routes in the Asia-Pacific regions;

Building of luxury cruise ships in Italy, Germany, and France;

Stable growth in North America due to wide variety of shipyards and ship build capabilities;

Fast-growing ship parts trading in Latin America;

Steady construction of complex vessels, such as cruise, submarines, mega-yachts, and dredgers in Europe; and

Demand for luxury yachts, water sport equipment and personal submarines in the Middle East.

"While the maritime industry is undergoing changes to comply with existing and new environmental regulations, shipbuilding companies are preparing themselves for compliance with future regulations and standards relating to safe and clean operations," noted Gnanamoorthy. "These trends will drive demand for optimized vessel efficiency and the use of energy-efficient marine pumps."

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Opportunity Analysis for Suppliers in the Marine Pumps Market, Forecast to 2023K106-10

Plaza 66 in Shanghai, an iconic landmark as well as Hang Lung Properties’ flagship project in mainland China, will mark a historic milestone with a world-class celebration on September 8, 2017.

Plaza 66 has just undertaken a large-scale asset enhancement initiative to provide an enhanced shopping environment and introduce an array of international brands that will suit the tastes and needs of young, affluent patrons, reaffirming its unique positioning as the Home to Luxury in mainland China.

Plaza 66, with its unique positioning as Shanghai's Home to Luxury, is set to redefine the realm of luxury retail in China after a stunning transformation, spearheaded by US-based architecture firm, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). Warm lighting illuminates the luster of the bronze and gold features used to create a unique ambiance that is contemporary, comfortable, and opulent as it unfolds its luxury into an extended retail gallery and expansive public enclosures. The newly minted VIC lounge offers a plethora of enhanced shopping rewards and privileges alongside carefully curated bespoke experiences to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning clientele.

The epitome of sophisticated lifestyle and taste, Plaza 66 is home to over 100 of the world's most eminent fashion houses and their China flagship stores, including Berluti, Bottega Veneta, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Dior, Hermes, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Prada, Van Cleef & Arpels, and many more -- a 100% occupancy rate of pure luxury. The renovated B1 floor also welcomes a number of new exciting brands, some of which are making their debut in China, such as Valextra and Chiara Ferragni. An unmissable highlight of the celebration party will be the 66 Showcase, in which these most revered brands will unveil an alluring vision of indulgence for the modern generation of affluent patrons in their Fall/ Winter 2017 collections and limited, exclusive lines.

Joining the star-studded guest list will be 15-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-producer, Alicia Keys, who will perform some of her greatest hits in celebration of this landmark occasion.

Guests walking the red carpet include celebrated art photographer David LaChapelle and street-style photographer Tommy Ton, who will be capturing the glitz and glamor on camera. Celebrity Chef Michael White will be presenting VIP guests with a meticulously-crafted tasting menu at Plaza 66's Marea, a Two Michelin Star restaurant from New York.

Janice Wong, Asia's Best Pastry Chef 2013 and 2014, and 2012 Young Woman of the Year, will also be showcasing her famous edible art installation for the festivities. Guests will be able to enjoy "selfie moments" with friends and family beside the art installation.

Belgian Master Chocolatier Pierre Marcolini is also expected to attend the celebration and host a demonstration at his exclusive Plaza 66 chocolate boutique.

In its seamless integration of modern luxury with high fashion and fine dining, Plaza 66 once again breaks the mold as the quintessential window on the world of opulence and grandeur in China, where the young, affluent elite and connoisseurs of refined living can indulge in an exquisitely curated encounter with luxury.

About Plaza 66, Shanghai

Located at 1266, Nanjing Xi Lu, the most vibrant shopping destination in Shanghai's Jing'an District, Plaza 66 spans a total gross floor area of over 270,000 square meters. As an iconic landmark in Shanghai, Plaza 66 has established itself at the pinnacle of the Mainland luxury commercial property market and has been the recipient of a host of awards that place it among the most successful commercial complexes in mainland China.

Plaza 66 is well-known as the centerpiece of Shanghai's luxury fashion and lifestyle market, with 100% occupancy. Its tenant mix is a kaleidoscope of the world's most prestigious brands including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Cartier, along with lifestyle and dining offerings that cater to the refined tastes of the young and vibrant elite. Plaza 66 has built its unique position as the Home to Luxury and an unparalleled symbol of affluence and style of distinguished service to its discerning clientele.

Soaring 66 and 48 stories respectively, the two esteemed office towers have a total gross floor area of nearly 160,000 square meters, occupied by the greatest names in the business world including multi-national companies, large enterprises in the information technology and fashion industries. Furthermore, Plaza 66 is equipped with a car park spanning an area of around 60,000 square meters, providing more than 800 car parking spaces underground for tenants and customers. Along with the completion of its asset enhancement program, Plaza 66 will launch a series of marketing initiatives, a VIC program, and a menu of exclusive services to further strengthen its unique positioning as Shanghai's Home to Luxury; always going the extra mile to extend its leading position in the market.

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eone-Diagnomics Genome Center Co., Ltd.("EDGC"), South Korea's global leading provider of genetic analysis services, and GPBio Corporation, a leading genetic testing and analysis company in China, have announced the signing of Strategic Partnership Agreement. Under the agreement the two companies will develop and expand the Asian markets for consumer/clinical genomics services based on their complementary genetic analysis capabilities.

EDGC, a joint venture established by San Diego, California-based Diagnomics and South Korea-based EONE, is a global leading genomics company providing a wide range of clinical/consumer genetic services around the world. Equipped with cutting-edge genomics data analysis expertise, EDGC focuses on innovative services and product development based on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Microarrays, and the company's services include but not limited to non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test (NICE®), newborn genetic screening test (bebegene®), ophthalmology genetic test (MyEyeGene®), and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic test (gene2me®).

GPBio, headquartered in Shanghai, China, aims to be the leader in precision medicine in China through building the largest human genomic database and developing accurate genetic tests based on advanced biochip and sequencing technologies. The company cooperates closely with Fudan University, one of the most prestigious universities in China. Its Scientific Advisory Board comprises world-renowned scholars and members of the US. The company is marketing its genetic testing and analysis products and services in China in such areas as risk assessment in oncology, cardiovascular diseases, etc.

The two companies believe that the partnership will lead to strong cooperation in data acquisition and more product offering for the Asian population. Asian genomic data are so inadequate that the interpretation bias has long been a concern in the field. Previously, EDGC had already partnered with Illumina on the Global Screening Arrays ("GSA"), the world's largest international consortium led by Illumina, as the only Asian company among the twelve consortium members. GPBio has also partnered with Illumina to create genomic analysis chips for the Chinese population, and the company is the largest consumer of Illumina chips. This partnership between GPBio and EDGC will be an important step in an international collaboration on genomic analysis in the Asian population.

"We are very pleased to have this opportunity to work with GPBio, who offers complementary skills and capabilities, and expand our commercial activities into overseas markets while the competition is getting fierce," said Min Lee, CEO of EDGC. "Much of the current genomics industry is being developed around the western countries such as the US and Europe. Together with GPBio, however, we expected to take the lead in shaping and expanding the global genomics market by strengthening our leading positions in Asia's most important markets," he added.

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BIOHEAHOUCONJVNThu, 17 Aug 2017 20:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185509-0.shtml
SUZHOU, China, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China Commercial Credit, Inc. (NasdaqCM: CCCR) ("CCCR" or the "Company"), a microfinance company providing financial services to small-to-medium enterprises ("SMEs"), farmers and individuals in Jiangsu Province, today announced that it has entered into a stipulation and agreement of Settlement (the "Stipulation") to settle the securities class action litigation captioned In re China Commercial Credit Inc. Securities Litigation, Docket No. 1:15-cv-00557-ALC (S.D.N.Y.) (the "Securities Class Action"), pending against it in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Court").

On June 1, 2017, following a final fairness hearing on May 30, 2017 regarding the proposed settlement, the Court entered a final judgment and order that: (i) dismisses with prejudice the claims asserted in the Securities Class Action against all named defendants in connection with the Securities Class Action, including the Company, and releases any claims that were or could have been asserted that arise from or relate to the facts alleged in the Securities Class Action, such that every member of the settlement class will be barred from asserting such claims in the future; and (ii) approves the payment of $220,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock (the "Settlement Shares") to members of the settlement class. The Settlement Shares are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On July 28, 2017, the Court entered a clarifying order to specify the allocation of attorneys' fees in accordance with the Stipulation.

The settlement does not constitute any admission of fault or wrongdoing by the Company or any of the individual defendants.

About China Commercial Credit

China Commercial Credit, founded in 2008, provides business loans and loan guarantee services to small-to-medium enterprises ("SMEs"), farmers and individuals in China'sJiangsu Province. Due to recent legislation and banking reform in China, these SMEs, farmers and individuals -- which historically had been excluded from borrowing funds from State-owned and commercial banks -- are now able to borrow money at competitive rates from microfinance lenders. For more information, please visit http://www.chinacommercialcredit.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include timing of the proposed transaction; the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of the parties once the transaction is complete, and CCCR's estimated and future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment and potential growth opportunities. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, our actual results may differ materially from our expectations or projections. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been, or will be, instituted against CCCR or other parties to the Share Exchange Agreement following the announcement of the Share Exchange Agreement and transactions contemplated therein; the ability of CCCR to meet NASDAQ listing standards following the transaction and in connection with the consummation thereof; the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of CCCR or other closing conditions to; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement of the Share Exchange Agreement and consummation of the transaction described therein; costs related to the proposed acquisition; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the ability of the combined company to meet its financial and strategic goals, due to, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitability, maintain relationships with customers and retain its key employees; the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in other reports and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by CCCR.

Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact our expectations and projections can be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. CCCR's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. CCCR disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

According to this agreement, NF Energy will actively take part in the projects related to the "one belt and one road" strategy that will be planned and designed by this fund, including earlier stage demonstration, project implementation, project management and tracking services.

China social welfare foundation water fund is a subsidiary of China social welfare foundation, which is governed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The water fund is committed to promoting water knowledge and water culture to encourage ecological protection of water resources and reduce environmental pollution so as to make more people participate in public welfare undertakings.

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are considered "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements regarding the efficacy of investment in research and development are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effect of political, economic, and market conditions and geopolitical events; legislative and regulatory changes that affect our business; the availability of funds and working capital; the actions and initiatives of current and potential competitors; investor sentiment; and our reputation. We do not undertake any responsibility to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to update you on the occurrence of any unanticipated events, which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. The factors discussed herein are expressed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at http://www.sec.gov.

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FINCPREUTECPENVGREOILUTICONThu, 17 Aug 2017 20:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185507-0.shtml
SHANGHAI and BEIJING, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a global leading open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, and its Chinese partner Harbin Gloria Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd (002437.CN), today announced that an exclusive license to the anti-PD-1 antibody GLS-010 has been granted to Arcus Biosciences, a US-based biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer immunotherapies.

Gloria contracted WuXi Biologics to discover and develop GLS-010, a novel anti-PD-1 antibody, using Ligand's transgenic rat platform OmniRat®. GLS-010 is currently being evaluated in cancer patients in phase I clinical studies in China. Arcus has licensed the exclusive development and commercialization rights of GLS-010 in North America, Europe, Japan and certain other territories.

Arcus plans on developing GLS-010 as a combination product with the other product candidates in its portfolio. Based on the terms of the agreement, Arcus will pay $18.5mm in upfront payments as well as development and regulatory milestones which could total up to $422.5mm for the development and approval of 11 products that include GLS-010 as a component. WuXi Biologics and its partner Gloria, through an existing agreement will also receive commercial milestones of up to $375mm which could result in aggregate payments from Arcus of $816mm. Arcus will pay tiered royalties that range from the high single-digits to low double-digits on net sales of GLS-010. In addition, WuXi Biologics and Arcus intend to enter into an exclusive 3-year agreement for the development of Arcus' biologics portfolio. WuXi Biologics also will be the exclusive manufacturer for GLS-010 in the licensed territories for a specified period of time.

"We are pleased that our integrated platform has enabled companies such as Gloria to enter into biologics with an exciting program. We are also excited to enter into this agreement to expedite biologics development to treat patients globally," commented Dr. Chris Chen, CEO and executive director of WuXi Biologics. "This new partnership continues to reinforce the value of our integrated service platform, the global quality WuXi Biologics commits to, and the success of our 'follow-the-molecule' strategy.

"We are thrilled to gain access to GLS-010 in our territories," commented Dr. Tim Sullivan, Vice President of Business Development at Arcus. "This molecule will enable us to fully exploit the potential of our other immuno-oncology agents for the benefit of patients. Working with WuXi Biologics also ensures high-quality clinical supply of our biologics, an essential operational component of our strategy to develop a series of novel and best-in-class combination therapies for the treatment of cancer."

"Gloria has recently been focusing its R&D research on biologics, especially in the immuno-oncology area. We hope our efforts can bring more innovative medicines into the Chinese market in order to fill unmet medical needs," said Mr. Hongbing Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Harbin Gloria Pharmaceuticals. "It is the first time that an antibody envisioned by Gloria has the potential to reach patients worldwide. We are extremely pleased that, with our development in China and Arcus' exclusive license in many other countries in the world, each working with WuXi, that GLS-010 may become available in both China and worldwide."

About GLS-010

GLS-010, also referred to as WBP3055, is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of immuno-oncology agents known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. It is designed to bind to PD-1, a cell surface receptor that plays an important role in the downregulation of the immune system by preventing the activation of T-cells. Other anti-PD-1 antibodies have been approved by the US FDA in multiple cancer settings. It is estimated that more than 500 clinical trials are ongoing to continue to investigate this class of biologics for more than 20 different cancer indications.

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics is the only open-access biologics technology platform in the world offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. Our company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and value proposition to our global clients. For more information on WuXi Biologics, please visit: http://www.wuxibiologics.com.

About Harbin Gloria Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

Gloria is a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Beijing. It is considered by analysts "the fastest growing pharma company in China". Gloria is also one of the most active deal makers among all the pharmaceutical companies nationwide. Gloria Pharmaceutical focuses on the following therapeutic areas: orthopaedics, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and oncology. For additional information, please visit www.gloria.cc.

In the first half of 2017, the Group's overall results continued to grow steadily. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company rose 6.5% YoY to RMB43,427 million (up 38.8% YoY if the RMB9,497 million profit from Puhui's restructuring for the first half of 2016 is excluded). Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company amounted to RMB425,780 million, up 11% from the beginning of the year. New business value generated by the life and health insurance business grew strongly by 46.2% YoY, driven by the Group's value creation strategy and the expanding scale and productivity of sales agents.

Backed by Ping An's sustainable growth and adequate solvency, an interim dividend of RMB0.50 per share to the shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2017 has been proposed, 150% higher compared with the same period last year.

Profit from the Group's individual business for the first half of 2017 was RMB34,626 million, or 79.7% of Ping An's net profit, up 21.1 pps YoY, driven by increasing individual customers and continued exploitation of customer value. The three KPIs in evaluating the retail business value -- customer base, number of contracts per customer, and profit per customer -- all maintained steady growth. As at June 30, 2017, the Group had an overall individual customer base of 143 million persons, up 9.3% YTD; the number of contracts per customer at the group level rose 3.2% YTD to 2.28; the Group's profit per customer reached RMB241.66, 18.5% higher YoY.

Ping An's major business highlights for Interim 2017 are as follow:

Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company grew to RMB43,427 million (up 38.8% YoY if the RMB9,497 million profit from Puhui's restructuring for the first half of 2016 is excluded).

Cash dividends increased significantly -- a cash dividend of RMB0.50 per share is proposed, 150.0% higher compared with the same period last year.

The integrated finance model was further improved as 26.1% of the Group's customers held multiple contracts with different subsidiaries.

The individual customer base grew to 143 million persons, up 9.3% YTD; the number of contracts per customer at the group level hits 2.28; the profit per customer reached RMB241.66, indicating a steady increase in customer value.

The number of new customers reached 18.54 million, of which 6.67 million were converted from the Group's internet users.

New business value of the life and health insurance business grew by 46.2% YoY; the number of life insurance sales agents rose 19.3% YTD to 1,325 thousand; Ping An Life's residual margin release was RMB23,987 million, up 38.7% year on year.

Ping An Property & Casualty registered an increase of 23.5% in premium income, expanding its market share by 1.5 pps YoY; the combined ratio was 96.1%, and the ROE (not annualized) was 10.5%.

Ping An Bank's retail business accounted for 40% of its total income, up 11 pps YoY, and 64% of its profit before tax, up 35 pps YoY; retail customers' assets under management (AUM) rose 19.2% YTD to RMB950,970 million, while personal deposits and retail loans grew by 16.0% and 21.5% respectively.

Lufax Holding realized a profit and reported an increase of 65.0% YoY in the trading volume of wealth management in the period, while the institutional trading volume soared 45.4% YoY.

Key achievements in technological innovation in 1H2017:

As at June 30, 2017, Ping An had filed 1,458 patent applications.

Ping An's face recognition technology topped the world with 99.8% accuracy, and has been applied to more than 200 scenarios.

Ping An has pioneered image-based loss verification in the industry, using image recognition and deep learning to provide superfast claims services. Launched in 2016, the technology has sped up the process of loss verification by 4,000 times compared with the traditional process.

Ping An Technology worked with Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the world's first "AI + big data" flu forecasting model.

Group: The individual customer base grew to 143 million persons, up 9.3% YTD, with profit per customer up 18.5% YoY to RMB241.66.

As at June 30, 2017, the number of individual customers of the Group reached 143 million, up 9.3% YTD. The number of new customers acquired in the first half of 2017 increased by 10.6% YoY to 18.54 million, of which 6.67 million were converted from the Group's internet users. Expansion of Ping An's customer base is driven by development of internet users.

Progress of Ping An's integrated finance strategy has been accompanied by increased cross-selling. As at June 30, 2017, the number of contracts per customer of the Group amounted to 2.28, up 3.2% YTD. 37.34 million individual customers held multiple contracts with different subsidiaries of the Group, accounting for 26.1% of the individual customer base. All major product lines maintained healthy, sustainable profitability in the first half of 2017, with profit per customer of the Group reaching RMB241.66, up 18.5% YoY.

During the period, the number of internet users of the Group grew 16.4% YTD to 403 million. 41.32 million users migrated among internet platforms, up 20.2% YoY. On average, each internet user held 2.04 services of Ping An, up 5.2% YTD. Moreover, users became increasingly active. As at the end of June 2017, the Company had 65.31 million monthly average active users, up 76.1% year on year; highly active users accounted for 21.9%. User stickiness continued to improve.

Dr. Peter Ma, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ping An, said, "We focus on development of individual customers. We aim to make our services more convenient and professional by cross-selling our different product and service offerings. Drawing on the excellent customer base attracted by our integrated finance model, we have steadily raised the value of our individual business and enhanced our competitive edge in China's retail financial sector."

In the first half of 2017, the new business value of the life and health insurance business soared by 46.2% YoY to RMB 38,551 million. As at June 30, 2017, the number of individual life insurance agents reached a record high of 1,325 thousand, up 19.3% YTD. Productivity of agents increased steadily as the first-year written premium per agent per month grew to RMB12,438, up 18.2% YoY. In the first half of 2017, the life and health insurance business boosted the EV by 23.9% YTD, and delivered an operating ROEV (not annualized) of 21.8%. During the period, Ping An Life realized RMB22,598 million in net profit, up 34.8% YoY. The residual margin release was RMB23,987 million, up 38.7% YoY. As at June 30, 2017, Ping An Life's residual margin grew by 19.9% YTD to RMB545,329 million, fueled by robust new business growth.

Ping An Property & Casualty boosted its premium income by 23.5% YoY to RMB103,443 million while expanding its market share by 1.5 pps. Business quality remained excellent with a combined ratio of 96.1% and an ROE (not annualized) of 10.5%. The auto insurance business achieved RMB80,260 million in premium income, up 13.6% YoY, while the market share reached 22.3%. Ping An Property & Casualty launched the world's first "510 City Superfast Onsite Investigation" service with a commitment for its inspectors to arrive within 5-10 minutes in more than 90% of daytime auto accident cases in cities. This service has been piloted in 334 prefecture- and higher-level cities across China.

In the first half of 2017, Ping An improved its asset allocation and reported an annualized net investment yield of 5.0% on its investment portfolio of insurance funds; the annualized total investment yield was 4.9%, up 0.5 pps YoY.

Ping An Bank advanced its transformation into a smart retail bank. Net profit grew 2.1% YoY to RMB12,554 million, while the cost-to-income ratio improved by 4.04 pps YoY to 24.76%. During the period,Ping An Bank's retail business accounted for 40% of its total income, up 11 pps YoY, and 64% of its profit before tax, up 35 pps YoY. The number of retail customers and retail customers' assets under management (AUM) increased by 11.5% and 19.2% to 58.43 million and RMB 950,970 million respectively. The number of credit cards in circulation grew by 15.7% to 29.63 million, while the retail loans rose by 21.5%.

In the first half of 2017, Ping An Trust enhanced risk management and furthered business transformation. The fee and commission income was 22.4% higher than a year earlier; the number of active wealth management customers reached 65,500, up 24.7% YTD. Ping An Securities built differential advantages and outperformed industry average as its net profit declined slightly by 2.6% YoY to RMB1,187 million. AUM of Ping An Asset Management grew to RMB2.49 trillion, up 10.0% YTD.

In recent years, the Group constantly upgraded its business models, built "open platforms + open marketplaces", and incubated a series of fintech and healthtech service platforms.

Lufax Holding has become China's leading internet finance platform of one-stop transaction information services. In the first half of 2017, Lufax Holding started to generate profits, maintained fast growth in wealth management, consumer finance and institutional trading businesses, and further strengthened its market leadership. Trading volumes of wealth management and institutional trading grew by 65.0% and 45.4% to RMB1,098,539 million and RMB3,687,231 million respectively.

Ping An Good Doctor is committed to building a healthcare ecosystem featuring one-stop, whole-process O2O services. As at June 30, 2017, Ping An Good Doctor had provided over 160 million users with health management services. The peak number of monthly active users hit 20 million, and that of daily inquiries reached 460,000. Ping An Good Doctor has built an in-house medical team of nearly 1,000 doctors, and has contracted more than 60,000 external doctors. Appointment making is available on the app with nearly 2,300 partner hospitals. Ping An Good Doctor has also partnered with over 700 health checkup institutions in 191 cities across China.

Finance One Account stepped up efforts to develop an open financial services ecosystem, and attained 203 million users by the end of the period, up 9.7% YTD. By June 30, 2017, Finance One Account had partnered with 406 banks and 1,493 non-bank financial and quasi-financial institutions; the interbank trading volume reached RMB 2.62 trillion. Moreover, Finance One Account had handled over 356 million credit inquiries as an effective supplement to the PBOC's personal credit reference system.

Prospects

Dr. Peter Ma said, "In the forthcoming era of smart technology, the future belongs to those with winning technologies. We are pursuing technology-powered business transformation. Today, Ping An has one of the largest big data platforms among Chinese financial institutions. Ping An has over 500 big data scientists, over 20,000 technological R&D staff members, and many world-leading technologies such as human face recognition, voiceprint recognition, prediction AI technologies, prescription AI technologies and blockchain, which have been applied to hundreds of scenarios. It is our goal to transform Ping An progressively from a capital-driven enterprise into a technology-driven one in the near future. This will empower the Company to develop faster and better, create value for our customers, and reward our investors with superior returns."

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 24, 2017 to discuss its financial performance and give a brief overview of the Company's recent developments, followed by a question and answer session. Interested parties can access the audio webcast through the Company's IR website at http://ir.chinacordbloodcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be accessible two hours after the conference call and available for three weeks at the same URL as above. Listeners can also access the call by dialing 1-719-325-2213 or 1-866-564-2842, for US callers, or +852-3008-1527, for Hong Kong callers, access code: 2659383.

Please dial in ten minutes prior to the conference call to ensure proper connection, and be prepared to provide your name and company name to the operator.

Supplemental financial information referenced in the conference call and the first quarter of fiscal 2018 earnings press release will be available at http://www.chinacordbloodcorp.com, in the section titled "Investor Center/Press Release", after 4:16 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, and in the Company's Report on Form 6-K for the month of August 2017, available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

About China Cord Blood Corporation

China Cord Blood Corporation is the first and largest umbilical cord blood banking operator in China in terms of geographical coverage and the only cord blood banking operator with multiple licenses. Under current PRC government regulations, only one licensed cord blood banking operator is permitted to operate in each licensed region and no new licenses will be granted before 2020 in addition to the seven licenses authorized as of today. China Cord Blood Corporation provides cord blood collection, laboratory testing, hematopoietic stem cell processing, and stem cell storage services. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.chinacordbloodcorp.com.

SAN JOSE, California, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, three of the rarest Wonder Woman comic books of all time will be sold on eBay beginning August 17 at 5pm PDT — Wonder Woman #1 CGC 9.0, Sensational Comics #1 CGC 9.6 and All-Star Comics #8 CGC 9.4. This unique comic book collection has yielded the single highest graded copies of Sensation Comics #1 and All-Star Comics #8. Two of these comics have only been rumored to exist in these record breaking conditions until now, making this an exciting time for comic book history and Wonder Woman fans across the world. Visit: www.eBay.com/WonderWoman

Wonder Woman made her comic book debut in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. Her cover debut followed on Sensational Comics #1 in January 1942, and the first full length comic devoted exclusive to her was Wonder Woman #1 the following July. In total, these three books make up the definitive debut, cover art and origin for Wonder Woman as an inspirational and beloved comic book character.

The comics are being sold on eBay by seller Darren Adams, owner of Pristine Comics. Darren previously sold Action Comics #1 on eBay in 2014, for a record $3.2 million. "As a comic book collector, these three Wonder Woman books are truly one-of-a-kind. All three are all in near-perfect condition, which really excites me as a collector – to think that comics in this condition, which are over 75 years old, are still out there," said Adams. "eBay did such a phenomenal job helping me to sell the Action Comics #1 a few years ago, and I firmly believe their global marketplace will help get the reach and connect with other comic book enthusiasts like myself with these sales."

The upcoming Wonder Woman sale is expected to break records as well. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Trafficking Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of human trafficking, through eBay for Charity.

"With the rise in popularity of the Wonder Woman franchise this year, we're excited to be able to bring the three most important books from her Golden age origin story to our 171 million eBay users. eBay provides access to items you can't find anywhere else and we're thrilled to be able to give shoppers the chance to own the highest graded definitive Wonder Woman key comic books in history," said Sam Bright, Senior Director of Art & Collectibles at eBay.

eBay & Wonder Woman by the Numbers – Global

Total YTD GMV for Wonder Woman sales on eBay is up by 52% YOY.*

The most popular Wonder Woman items sold on eBay since 2015 include: stamps, comic books, Funko-Pops, costumes and temporary tattoos.*

There are over 200,000 average daily live listings for Wonder Woman products on eBay.*

The costliest Wonder woman related item ever sold on eBay is the All Star Comics #8 CGC Comic Book for $81,000*

eBay & Wonder Woman by the Numbers – U.S.

Total YTD GMV for Wonder Woman sales on eBay is up by 59% YOY.*

This year alone, Wonder Woman has been searched for on eBay over 460,000 times.*

There are currently more than over 150,000 live listings for Wonder Woman products on eBay.*

With more than a billion listings and an audience of 171 million users around the world, eBay offers the best choices—including rare and valuable collectibles that you can't find anywhere else—making it easy to find the things you want.

About eBayeBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2016, eBay enabled $84 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

Three rare comics being sold through separate auctions on eBay. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the international non-profit organization, Trafficking Hope.

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ARTBKSCPRECMENTPUBPDTThu, 17 Aug 2017 18:03:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185493-0.shtml
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From August 18 through 20, Guangdong Week of China Pavilion will be held at the Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event, hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee (CCPIT Guangdong), will make "Future Energy, Green Silk Road" as its theme. It will start with a Chinese Qilin Dance, a national intangible cultural heritage to introduce the distinct culture of the Lingnan region in southern China, followed by a display of Guangdong's innovations in the new energy field.

In the Guangdong Week, apart from the above-mentioned activities, there will have opening ceremony, energy-themed forums, coupled with Guangdong-Kazakhstan Economic and Trade Exchange, "Beautiful Guangdong" photo exhibition, major cities and tourist attractions promotion and cultural show on Guangdong, according to Cai Yile, director of exhibition department of CCPIT Guangdong.

At the photo exhibition, held by the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, a selection of 80 photos under the themes of Lingnan Culture, Majestic Land, Economic Construction, Harmonious Society and the Belt and Road Initiative will be on the display. The show is designed to demonstrate Guangdong's imposing natural landscape, time-honored traditions and rapid economic development, to offer updates on its involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

A world-leading innovative technology introduced at the scene will show how Guangdong generates new energy by leveraging the ocean. "The ocean is viewed as the only and indispensable space to sustain human society," said Ma Longlong, director of Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, "adding that the large-scale Floating Hawk-shaped Wave Power Generator is guaranteed to provide access to electricity for offshore facilities and on the islands and reefs on the high seas."

On top of that, the Chinese Qilin Dance will be performed by an art club from Dongguan, Guangdong outside the pavilion. Originated from folk cultures of the city, the historical dance has implied good fortune for people.

During the Guangdong Week, the province plans to engage with government bodies and departments concerned of Kazakhstan on such fields as economy and trade, culture and tourism, in efforts to promote cooperation and exchanges between China and Kazakhstan.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China Rapid Finance Limited ("China Rapid Finance" or the "Company") (NYSE: XRF), a leading online consumer lending marketplace in China, today reported its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. The Company will hold a conference call on August 17, 2017 at 8:00 am Eastern Time (8:00 pm Beijing Time) to discuss the financial results for the second quarter of 2017. Dial-in details are provided at the end of this release.

"We are pleased to report our second quarter 2017 results for our first full quarter as a public company, during which we achieved several important milestones," said Dr. Zane Wang, Chairman and CEO of China Rapid Finance. "Our second quarter 2017 results demonstrated solid progress toward our business and financial objectives, with approximately 760 thousand new borrowers acquired, over 240% year-over-year growth in loan volume, and nearly 60% year-over-year growth in gross billings. Marking a significant milestone, consumption loan volume in the second quarter 2017 exceeded that for the full year of 2016. As our business continued to scale operationally and financially, we further validated our 'low and grow' strategy to provide digital credit at a significantly lower cost than many of our competitors without taking any credit risk. Our proprietary technology enables us to scale a marketplace which facilitates affordable digital credit for one of the world's largest untapped credit markets of 500 million EMMA (Emerging Middle-class Mobile Active) consumers. We are excited about opportunities we see ahead to extend our leadership position. With 20 million cumulative loans and 2.7 million cumulative borrowers since inception, we are on track to achieve long-term sustainable growth by fulfilling the lifetime consumer credit needs of China's emerging middle class."

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights

Total gross billings on transaction and service fees[1] grew by 59% year over year to $24.5 million, or 46% over the previous quarter.

Gross billings from consumption loans exceeded gross billings from lifestyle loans, marking an important milestone. Gross billings from consumption loans increased by 642% year over year to $13.2 million, or 97% over the previous quarter. Gross billings from consumption loans represented 54% of total gross billings as compared with 12% in the prior year period, and 40% in the previous quarter. Gross billings from lifestyle loans were $11.3 million as compared with $13.7 million in the prior year period, or $10 million in the previous quarter. Gross billings from lifestyle loans were 46% of total gross billings, as compared with 88% in the prior year period, and 60% in the previous quarter.

Net revenue increased by 9% year over year to $15.2 million (after netting off customer acquisition incentives of $8.1 million) from $13.9 million (after netting off customer acquisition incentives of $0.6 million) in the prior year period, and 45% over the previous quarter from $10.5 million (after netting off customer acquisition incentives of $5.3 million) in the previous quarter.[2]

[1] Gross billings on transaction and service fees is defined as transaction and service fees billed to customers, inclusive of related value-added taxes, before deduction of customer acquisition incentives ("CAI").

Number of new borrowers added in the second quarter of 2017 was 760 thousand, increasing 39% over the previous quarter. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had 2.7 million unique borrowers.

Total number of loans facilitated grew by 354% year over year to 5.1 million, or on average 55 thousand loans facilitated per day. Total number of loans facilitated since inception reached 20 million.

Total loan volume facilitated increased by 244% year over year to $720.7 million. Consumption loans facilitated increased by 431% year over year to $637.5 million, with lifestyle loans facilitated totaling $83.2 million, as compared with $89.7 million in the prior year period.

Average cumulative loan volume per borrower of the Q4 2015 cohort increased to approximately $1,550 in their 18th month on our marketplace from approximately $1,300 in the 15th month. Average cumulative loan volume per borrower of the Q1 2016 cohort increased to approximately $1,340 in their 15th month on our marketplace from approximately $1,099 in the 12th month.

Repeat borrowers on the Company's marketplace accounted for 72% of the total borrowers as of June 30, 2017.

"We are pleased to report that the consumption loan business is driving the growth of our company," said Mr. Kerry Shen, Chief Financial Officer of China Rapid Finance. "Consumption loan volume facilitated in the second quarter exceeded the entire year's volume for 2016. Gross billings from consumption loans grew 6 times year over year and doubled from the previous quarter. In particular, for the first time in our history, gross billings from consumption loans exceeded that from lifestyle loans, marking an important milestone. We will continue to execute our 'low and grow' strategy and focus on engaging high repeat consumption loan borrowers who generate significant lifetime value. We also added 760 thousand new borrowers and facilitated 5.1 million loans in the second quarter, further enhancing our leadership position in the consumer lending industry."

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Total gross billings on transaction and service fees increased by 59% to $24.5 million from $15.5 million in the prior year period, largely driven by the increase of gross billings from consumption loans. Gross billings from consumption loans increased to 54% of total gross billings compared with 12% in the prior year period, or 40% in the previous quarter.

Gross billings from consumption loans increased by 642% to $13.2 million from $1.8 million in the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in consumption loan volume to $637.5 million from $120.0 million in the prior year period. Gross billings per borrower are a function of three key drivers including: (1) average loan size per borrower, (2) number of loans per borrower, and; (3) average transaction and service fee rate.

Average transaction and service fee rate on consumption loans increased to 2.1% from 1.5% in the prior year period, and 1.6% in the previous quarter. This was a result of our "low and grow" strategy as the average fee rate increases when the size and term of the loan is larger and longer.

Gross billings from lifestyle loans were $11.3 million, as compared with $13.7 million in the prior year period, primarily due to the Company's ongoing strategy to focus on higher lifetime value consumption loans. The lifestyle loan volume was $83.2 million in the second quarter of 2017, as compared with $89.7 million in the prior year period. Gross billings from lifestyle loans were 46% of total gross billings as compared with 88% in the prior year period, and 60% in the previous quarter.

We believe gross billings on transaction and service fees is a key operating metric and an important indicator of our growth and business performance. Presentation of gross billings helps illustrate our business trends and growth rate. Net revenue is reported under US GAAP after deducting the one-time customer acquisition incentive ("CAI") from gross billings. CAI is a one-time payment to marketplace investors only for lending to a first-time consumption loan borrower, and therefore is not directly related to overall loan volume and business growth. Gross billings on transaction and service fees are directly related to the loan volume that is successfully matched on our marketplace, showing a correlation between gross billings on transaction and service fees and loan volume.

Gross Billings & Customer Acquisition Incentives

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,2016

June 30,2017

June 30,2016

June 30,2017

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Gross billings on transaction and service fees

-Lifestyle loans

13,679

11,322

26,988

21,414

-Consumption loans

1,776

13,184

3,308

19,876

Total

15,455

24,506

30,296

41,290

Customer acquisition incentives

-deducted from Consumption loan revenue

598

8,131

1,992

13,448

-recognized in sales and marketing expenses

-

38

-

921

Total

598

8,169

1,992

14,369

Net revenue increased by 9% year over year to $15.2 million (after netting off CAI of $8.1 million) from $13.9 million (after netting off CAI of $0.6 million) in the prior year period, and 45% over the previous quarter from $10.5 million (after netting off CAI of $5.3 million) in the previous quarter.

Servicing expenses increased to $3.5 million from $3.0 million in the prior year period. The increase in servicing expenses was primarily due to an increase in the number of servicing personnel.

Sales and marketing expenses were $9.5 million as compared to $5.6 million in the prior year period. The increase in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to the marketing fees paid to channel partners in connection with new borrower acquisition.

General and administrative expenses were $15.8 million as compared to $10.8 million in the prior year period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly due to: 1) the increase in operating costs in relation to the facilitation of consumption loans amounting to $1.3 million, including gateway payment fees, data analysts, customer service, call centers and operational personnel; 2) the increase in research and product development expenses in relation to the consumption loan app of $1.2 million, and; 3) share-based compensation expense for incentive shares of $0.8 million versus $0.2 million in the prior year period.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $13.5 million, as compared with $5.9 million in the prior year period, primarily due to CAI of $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $0.6 million in the prior year period. Net loss attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2017 was $96.4 million, or $1.93 per share, as compared to $7.3 million, or $0.45 per share, in the prior year period. The increase in net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders was primarily due to a one-time $82.0 million increase in deemed dividend to preferred shareholders upon the initial public offering.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows: As of June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $74.5 million and restricted cash of $17.4 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $16.2 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $5.1 million in the prior year period. The increase in operating cash outflow was mainly due to CAI and marketing fees paid to channel partners to acquire quality new borrowers.

Executing on Plan

Our platform's technology advantage and data access have enabled us to become one of the most affordable and scalable consumer lending marketplaces in China.

The attractiveness of our marketplace to EMMAs is evidenced by the fact that, as of June 30 2017, 72% of the borrowers on our marketplace were repeat borrowers. We continue to experience a high rate of borrower retention on our marketplace consistently over time. Using the borrower cohort of first-time consumption loan borrowers from the fourth quarter of 2015, during a twelve-month period on our platform, the average loan size per borrower increased from $71 in the first month to $148 in the twelfth month, and average cumulative loan volume per borrower increased 13 times from approximately $100 in the first month to approximately $1,300 in the twelfth month and 15.5 times to $1,550 in the eighteenth month.

Our mission is to serve EMMAs' lifetime credit needs, and we believe that the growth of EMMAs' lifetime customer value on our marketplace is just beginning. We seek to facilitate more loans that are larger and have longer terms to higher quality borrowers and gradually lower borrowing costs to borrowers who have demonstrated favorable repayment behavior on our platform. We believe that rewarding favorable repayment behavior will enable us to generate significant customer lifetime value.

Financial Outlook

Based on the information available as of the date of this press release, the Company provides the following outlook, which reflects the Company's current and preliminary view and is subject to change.

For the full year ending December 31, 2017, the Company expects to add between 2.5 million to 3.0 million new borrowers, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 350% to 400%. The Company also expects total gross billings on transaction and service fees to be in the range of $110 million to $120 million in 2017, as compared with $67.9 million in the prior year. Total gross billings for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $41 million. The Company reaffirms its guidance for the full year of 2017 and expects to generate approximately $70 million to $80 million of gross billings on transaction and service fees in the second half of the year.

Conference Call:

The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 8:00 am U.S. Eastern Time, or 8:00 pm China Time, to discuss its financial results.

Participants may access the call by dialing the following numbers:

International:

+1-412-902-4272

United States Toll Free:

+1-888-346-8982

China Toll Free:

4001-201203

Hong Kong Toll Free:

800-905945

Conference ID:

China Rapid Finance call

The replay will be accessible through August 24, 2017 by dialing the following numbers:

China Rapid Finance operates one of China's largest consumer lending marketplaces in terms of total number of loans, having facilitated over 20 million loans to over 2.7 million borrowers at a significantly lower borrowing cost than many competitors. The Company deploys machine learning and proprietary decisioning technology to facilitate affordable digital credit for one of the world's largest untapped consumer credit markets: China's 500 million Emerging Middle-class Mobile Active consumers (EMMAs). China Rapid Finance operates a pure play marketplace, and does not take credit risk. The Company utilizes its technology to efficiently select quality EMMAs for its platform. China Rapid Finance offers smaller, shorter-term initial loans to these EMMAs and then offers larger, longer-term loans to repeat borrowers who demonstrate positive credit behavior. This "low and grow" strategy enables the Company to attract and retain high quality EMMAs who generate significant customer lifetime value. China Rapid Finance was founded by Dr. Zane Wang, who has decades of consumer credit experience in both the U.S. and China, and is governed by a global board of directors. For more information, please visit http://chinarapidfinance.investorroom.com.

Statement Regarding Unaudited Condensed Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set forth below is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited condensed financial information.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement, China Rapid Finance's financial outlook as well as China Rapid Finance's strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. China Rapid Finance may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about China Rapid Finance's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: unexpected difficulties in China Rapid Finance's pursuit of its goals and strategies; the unexpected developments, including slow growth, in the consumer lending market; reduced demand for, and market acceptance of, China Rapid Finance's products and services; difficulties keeping and strengthening relationships with borrowers or investors; difficulties of expanding data and channel partnerships, potentially costly servicing activities; competition in the consumer lending market; PRC governmental regulations and policies; and general economic and business conditions in the regions where China Rapid Finance provides products and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in China Rapid Finance's reports filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and China Rapid Finance undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

DUBAI, U.A.E., Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The nascent Iranian cloud computing market offers immense potential for future growth. This is subject to a sturdy understanding of the country's long-term economic development, and information and communication technologies (ICT) investment plans. The biggest challenges to deployment are low internet speed/connectivity as well as ease of doing business for outsiders due to poor security measures. Also, most infrastructure is acquired illegally. Hence, collaboration with the government or large telecom players will be critical to market entry and growth.

"The outsourcing culture has been low in Iran, and market entry policies and regulations are still vague," said Digital Transformation Consultant Gowtham Bandi. "Until there is improvement in infrastructure and government assistance, it will be tough for international players to establish a foothold in the Iranian cloud market. To start with, non-core business applications like web hosting and mails will help create an ecosystem to host/implement other solutions."

Local cloud providers, such as Afranet, DP Iran Co, and Innfinision, that operate using/reselling global products, presently dominate the Iranian data and cloud market. Integrating with telecom players for infrastructure, and European/Indian IT solution providers to enhance portfolio capabilities, will provide growth avenues for all stakeholders.

International players will have to overcome several issues to gain a foothold:

Copyright is a challenge in Iran, resulting in a barrage of illegal software that can potentially hamper the growth of SaaS;

There is a lack of foresight and awareness on the telco side in terms of the benefits and opportunities the cloud presents;

Preference for local vendors is higher due to better 'local market requirement' understanding;

Lack of knowledge about the cloud results in virtualisation being mistaken for the cloud; and

Small budgets, numerous sanctions, and political uncertainty restrain investments.

The hybrid cloud segment holds massive opportunities, driven by demand from the small and medium enterprises sector. Creating robust infrastructure and addressing security concerns will be vital for success.

"New business models are being developed to create revenue opportunities through the cloud," noted Bandi. "This will help them achieve a strong competitive standpoint against established players in the Iran cloud market."

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

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STWCPRSVYThu, 17 Aug 2017 16:11:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185485-0.shtmlCelebrating China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017]]>
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Charming Beijing Tourism Presentation, one of the important events within the framework of China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, was held on 14th August in Copenhagen. Nearly 100 people from the Embassy of China in Denmark, Wonderful Copenhagen and representatives from local tour operators and media attended the event.

Song Yu told reporters, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out during his meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in May that 2016 was the Year of Progress and 2017 would become the Year of Harvest for China-Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership. Currently, with the in-depth launching of the activities, the two countries have enjoyed close cooperation and frequent people-to-people exchanges.

1,059,000 European tourists visited Beijing in 2016 and 479,000 in the first half of 2017. Among them, the number of inbound Danish tourists to Beijing continuously increases and Denmark has become an important potential tourist market for Beijing. Beijing and Copenhagen officially established sister cities relationship in June, 2012, and there are so far 15 couples of provinces (cities) between China and Denmark. More Danish tourists will be coming to Beijing and approximately 262,000 Chinese tourists will be visiting Denmark in 2017.

Before the presentation, the delegation had talks with Wonderful Copenhagen to implement the Memorandum of Tourism Cooperation signed both in 2016. They discussed the topics about further strengthening information exchanges and market promotion, and finally reached a broad consensus.

This event also brings the curtain down of "Charming Beijing" promotion events in Northern Europe held by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development. The delegations has successively held events in Helsinki, Reykjavik and Odense.

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TRAFORTDSThu, 17 Aug 2017 16:10:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185484-0.shtmlSAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The economic burden caused by critical illness is a challenging issue for all. As a leading innovator in China, Qingsongchou kept working on the solution of medical cost trend and had launched its first blockchain product, "Qingsongchou Mutual Plan" in 2016. During the 1 year period, over 8 million people have joined the plan and a USD 15 million premium has been collected. Due to Qingsongchou's great contribution to the healthcare market, it was voted by CB Insights as one of "The 250 Most Promising, Private Fintech Companies From Around The World".

In this revolution of technology, blockchain was introduced to the world and Ethereum, and other new generations of blockchains will improve the system. Qingsongchou and its team keep exploring the application and the potential of blockchain. With their mature data model and rich experience in mutual market, Qingsongchou intends to overturn the current healthcare industry by building up a Health Mutual Society (HMS) on Ethereum.

On August 28th, the ICO (Initial Coin Offering) of HMC is going to be launched globally (for details, please visit the official website: www.hms.io)

Operation Mode of HMS

HMS will deliver affordable healthcare coverage by removing intermediate cost and separating the medical cost among members. Both individuals and organizations will be able to join the plan by depositing a certain amount of tokens. When a qualified policyholder is diagnosed with one of the specific illnesses on the predetermined list, s/he could upload the documents and file a claim. As long as the claim is approved by the elected notary organizations, a certain amount of token will be released as payout. Restricted by a smart contract, the operation of the system will be autonomous, efficient and transparent.

Advantages of HMS

Backing by Qingsongchou's rich experience in mutual market and its over 160 million registered users, HMS will be the most tangible ICO project compared with others.

Reducing the burden of healthcare by separating the cost among members.

Improving the efficiency and lowering the operation cost by decentralizing the system.

Breaking the barrier of regions and hedge the risk of globalization.

Generating an anti-inflation community product with huge growing potential.

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FINHEAHININSMTCPDTThu, 17 Aug 2017 16:03:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185483-0.shtml
XINGYI, China, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2017 International Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports Conference kicks off in Xingyi, the capital of Qianxinan prefecture, a region in the southwestern part of China'sGuizhou province, on August 16, 2017. The event is expected to attract over 1,200 government officials and business executives as well as influencers and experts across the worlds of mountain travel and outdoor sports from 29 countries and regions worldwide.

The conference, with the tagline "promoting harmony between man and nature as well as healthy lifestyles" will host over 20 international mountain sports events, including hiking, a fire balloon event hosted by the Chinese Balloon Club League, the China Rally Championship, a camping event, a cycling competition, a cross-country running competition and a mountain sport challenge. In addition, a series of meetings and seminars directed to the travel industry will be held during the event, including the first annual forum of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) and the Green Development and Mountain Travel seminar that will bring together a number of journalists and leaders from international chambers of commerce.

IMTA is an international organization established with the approval of the State Council of China, comprising 111 groups and individuals from 26 countries and regions across five continents, with former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin currently serving as chairman. The aim of the IMTA is to support its global members in developing their respective mountain travel markets by providing them with experience, capital and talent, among other forms of support and to explore the world's most popular mountain resorts with the aim of discovering how to best provide more professional mountain travel services. IMTA is the first international organization in China to be headquartered outside Beijing.

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SSESPTTRATDSThu, 17 Aug 2017 15:50:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185482-0.shtmlEricsson sues smartphone maker Wiko in the regional courts of Dusseldorf and Mannheim in Germany, for infringement of patents essential for 2G, 3G and 4G cellular technology, as well as implementation patents]]>
Wiko has been infringing Ericsson's intellectual property rights for several years without any license or compensation, despite negotiations since 2013]]>
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

On August 14, 2017, Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) sued smartphone maker Wiko, in the regional courts of Dusseldorf and Mannheim in Germany, for infringement of patents essential for 2G, 3G and 4G cellular technology, as well as implementation patents.

Wiko has been infringing Ericsson's intellectual property rights for six years without any license or compensation. Ericsson has tried to establish a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) license agreement with Wiko since May 2013, but has not succeeded. As a last resort, Ericsson has decided to exercise its legal rights to enforce its patents against Wiko's infringing products.

Gustav Brismark, Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Ericsson, says: "Global sharing of technology and open standards are the force behind the smartphone revolution and have allowed new entrants, such as Wiko, to quickly build successful businesses. This ICT eco-system only works, however, if all market players respect the basic rules of FRAND licensing. It is unfair for Wiko to benefit from our substantial R&D investment without paying a reasonable license fee for our patented technology.

"Our ambition has always been to reach a mutually fair and reasonable license agreement with Wiko, just as we do with all of our licensees."

Ericsson has one of the industry's strongest intellectual property portfolios, which includes more than 42,000 granted patents worldwide. Ericsson's patent portfolio covers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE technologies, and the company plays a key role in the global organizations that are developing standards for 5G technologies.

Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Our organization consists of more than 111,000 experts who provide customers in 180 countries with innovative solutions and services. Together we are building a more connected future where anyone and any industry is empowered to reach their full potential. Net sales in 2016 were SEK 222.6 billion (USD 24.5 billion). The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on NASDAQ in New York. Read more on www.ericsson.com.

As announced at the Conference, the first CLAC Expo will be staged in Zhuhai from November 7 to November 9 by the China Chamber of International Commerce and the Zhuhai Municipal Government. With the theme "Bosom Friends Make Distance Disappear", the Expo centers on cooperation in economy and trade underpinned by that in technology and agriculture. Exhibitions and meetings will be organized on commodity trading, service trading, technical cooperation, investment and tourism cooperation. In this way, an international expo arises that presents national image, demonstrates products, and promotes business cooperation and cultural communication in the new fields.

Deputy Mayor of Zhuhai Zhu Qingqiao said at the Conference that the value of trade between China and Latin America and the Caribbean has grown by more than 20 times over the past decade. The overall cooperation between the two sides has made continuous progresses and yielded new fruits. Currently, China is the second largest trading partner and the third largest source of investment of the latter, while the latter are ranking as the seventh largest trading partner and major overseas investment destinations of China. As Zhu points out, by virtue of the Expo, an opportunity for exchanges and win-win development for enterprises at both sides, China and Latin America and the Caribbean will together enhance their interconnectivity in the policy, facility, trade, finance and people so as to step up practical cooperation in economy and trade.

It is learned that the Expo, mainly open to Latin America and the Caribbean, will house 400 to 500 exhibitors across 30,000 m2 and may attract over 40,000 audiences. It will comprise three areas, namely, Latin America and the Caribbean Specialty Exhibition Area, China-Latin America and the Caribbean Cooperation Exhibition Area, and Zhuhai Pavilion. As the highlight, Latin America and the Caribbean Specialty Exhibition Area will feature specialty food and agricultural products, cultural tourism products, and healthcare services provided by enterprises from the region. In the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Cooperation Exhibition Area, achievements in interactions between large Chinese enterprises and Latin America and the Caribbean will be presented. The Zhuhai Pavilion will showcase the emerging industries in Zhuhai that enjoy international competitiveness.

At the Conference, Niu Jing, Party secretary of Hengqin New Area, introduced the progress of the Hengqin CLAC Cooperation Park which is under construction. As the main structure of the first phase, covering an area of 35,000 m2, has been completed, enterprises are expected to start business there this year. The Park will provide both sides with vehicles and platforms for exchanges in culture and tourism, cross-border e-commerce, economy and trade, modern business services, etc.

Representatives from embassies of the Latin American and Caribbean countries in China had in-depth communication with their Zhuhai counterparts on the details of exhibition and investment in Zhuhai.

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FINCPRTRAFORTRDTDSThu, 17 Aug 2017 14:16:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185473-0.shtmlSINGAPORE, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Agoda, one of the world's largest accommodation booking platforms, today reveals the motivations and booking behaviors driving the rise in non-hotel accommodation (NHAs) - also known as homestays. agoda's inventory of over 1.5 million properties worldwide have included all sorts of homestays for years, providing a unique lens to the impact of NHAs over time.

(1) Travelers are more likely to stay in a home when close to home

Domestic travelers are more likely to book homestays. But they are also more likely to consider booking privately-owned homes/apartments when traveling to neighboring countries.

Travelers from Indonesia (79%), Singapore (71%), Philippines (82%) and Thailand (80%) will most likely consider booking homestays when traveling within Asia. Similarly, travelers from the UK (88%), US (84%) and Australia (75%) will most likely consider booking a privately-owned home within their home continent.

(2) Reasons for choosing a hotel alternative varies across countries

Indonesians (55%), Malaysians (54%) and Filipinos (53%) will book NHAs to accommodate families and large groups.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans (57%), Thais (54%) and Australians (46%) view NHAs as a less expensive option to a hotel room.

Adventurous Chinese travelers mostly consider NHAs to get a more local travel experience (55%).

(3) NHA types

Amongst non-hotel bookers, there is a clear trend in the most popular type of NHAs booked per market:

B&Bs rank first for Filipino travelers, with 53% of those surveyed having booked one in the past year

Private homes are among the favorites for travelers from Singapore (44%), Malaysia (40%) and Australia (38%)

Villas and guest houses are well liked by Indonesian (37%, 36%) and Thai (31%, 32%) travelers

Connecting these travelers to homestay properties is agoda Homes, a portal for home owners to list their properties to millions of agoda users worldwide, at no cost.

"agoda has offered a variety of homes for many years now, and we will continue to build our inventory to offer travelers more choice -- from more conventional options like a private home or a villa to unique properties like a treehouse or even a yacht," said Andy Edwards, agoda's Global Director for Brand and Marketing Communication.

The agoda Travel & Tech Study is based on a survey of 16,000+ respondents aged 18-64 across 15 countries and covers the motivations and booking behavior of travelers in the age of tech innovation.

Fancy gently rocking to sleep on the waves? Or waking up in a treehouse? Or standing in your own kitchen and seeing a mountain view you've never seen before? From quirky to luxurious, here are some of agoda's most extraordinary agoda Homes for travelers to satisfy their wanderlust:

An enchanting blend between classic Javanese architecture and modern minimalist influences, this is the perfect abode for family holidays. Located just 7 kilometres from Adisucipto Airport and 500 metres from the city centre, venturing out to explore the former royal capital of Indonesia will be a breeze for family travelers. Guests should also check out the family room for hours of fun!

Pro-tip: Book the Pavilion (pictured above) for a cosy family experience.

Sakainoma Kuma Guest House offers the elegance of traditional Japanese guestrooms with a tranquil Japanese garden for some peaceful me-time. Venture to Nanshu-ji Temple and Takasu Shrine for a spiritual oasis located less than 1.6 kilometres away from the guest house.

Looking for a quiet retreat to escape from the stress of daily life? Stroll through the pristine rainforest and reconnect with your loved ones in this lush villa, nestled in the tranquility of beautifully landscaped gardens and situated in the heart of the Danenong Ranges National Park. For a quiet evening in, roast marshmallows with family or friends around the fireplace.

Situated in Nusa Penida, an island away from the crowded Denpasar, this tree house is the perfect nest for a tranquil, intimate getaway with your loved one. Nestled atop trees along the coast, travelers can look forward to an afternoon of scuba-diving or hiking. Book out both rooms for an exclusive group vacation; children under three years of age stay for free as well.

Take in the sights and sounds of Bali at this sprawling campsite. Experience the simple life and head back to nature as you explore breathtaking hiking trails that will definitely make you want more! Soak in a relaxing hot spring bath and let the daily stress fade away in this ultimate vacation spot.

Whether you're a tourist or a business traveler, this cosy minimalist home provides a refuge from the fast-paced city life. Located just a short distance away from the Meiji Shrine and the bustling Asakusa district, travelers can delight in having a home away from home, even on vacation. This property comes with three bedrooms and perfect for big families or large groups looking for value in Japan's capital city.

Located on Hoi An's beautiful An Bang beach, this charming eco-chic homestay is perfect for those looking for a quaint and quiet escape. Take a walk on the beach and enjoy a variety of activities that are located close to this oasis. In fact, travelers can rent bicycles and motorbikes at reasonable rates and enjoy travelling along the beachfront or into town.

Launched in 1931, this luxury yacht was originally used in World War II as a patrol boat. After a complete refurbishment and a technical refit, this historical yacht is now available for private bookings! Located in Phuket, Luxury Yacht MM2 is a perfect holiday home for travelers looking to dive, snorkel or canoe from the comforts of their private room.

agoda, part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is one of the world's fastest-growing online accommodation booking platforms. Established in 2005 as a start-up, agoda expanded quickly in Asia and was soon acquired in 2007 by the world's largest seller of rooms online -- the Priceline Group. agoda offers over a million accommodation options around the globe with service and support in over 40 languages. Operations are based in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Budapest, and an additional presence can be found in major cities across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- L-com Global Connectivity, a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has launched two new series of outdoor rated high flex Cat5e cables for use in Industrial Ethernet connectivity applications.

The TRD855HFT series cables feature a Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) cable jacket that is resistant to industrial oils, UV damage and weld spatter while maintaining a CMX flame rating. The TRD855HFP series cables employ an economical polyurethane (PUR) cable jacket that is resistant to UV damage and water.

"Our new high flex outdoor rated industrial Ethernet cables are the perfect solution for outdoor networks where extreme conditions exist. These cables offer excellent resistance to UV sun light, oil, chemicals and weld splatter commonly found in industrial settings. In addition to our eight standard off the shelf lengths, these cables can be ordered as custom cables with different lengths to suit specific installation needs," said Dustin Guttadauro, Product Manager.

Both the TRD855HFT and TRD855HFP series cables are in stock and available for immediate shipment.

About L-com Global Connectivity:

L-com Global Connectivity, a leading manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, offers a wide range of solutions and unrivaled customer service for the electronics and data communications industries. The company's product portfolio includes cable assemblies, connectors, adapters, antennas, enclosures, surge protectors and more. L-com is headquartered in North Andover, Mass., is ISO 9001: 2008 certified and many of its products are UL® recognized. L-com is an Infinite Electronics company.

"CBME China has been leading and serving the industry for 17 years. It is the ideal place to explore market trends and learn consumers' shifting needs. It is also the annual meeting point for industry leaders to come together to network and negotiate deals", said Athena Gong, General Manager of UBM China (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, organizers of CBME China.

CBME China 2017 On-site 2

Some of the highlights of this year's fair included:

Launch of four new zones with broadened product coverage: Fine Food Zone, Fabulous Mom Zone, Play & Learn Zone and Outdoor Recreation and Sports Zone featured new brands, products and services. Products included non-traditional products like eggs, fresh produce, gluten-free products; prenatal and postpartum care products and services, early education in the form of play, music and movement programs, photography services and more.

At the Kids Fashion Design Contest Awards, Santorini's Yearning (Wenjing Huang) was awarded the Gold Award in the Kids Fashion Design Contest from 1,241 entries from all over the world. The Silver Award winner went to: "Children of Lake Karen" by Shengnan Tang. Bronze Award winner was: "Swim from the Pacific to the Atlantic" (Zeyan Lu), and Jiaoyang Zhang with the artwork: "A Footloose Travel to the Sea" was awarded the Most Marketable Design Award.

Over 1,500 business matching sessions were scheduled at CBME China's Private Buyer Meetings for China and overseas key buyers from department stores/ supermarkets, retailers, e-commerce companies and more. More business deals and partners were made in the event's three-day run.

CBME China 2018 will be held on July 25-27, 2018 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). CBME China is a professional industry exhibition that upholds the highest quality standards. It only features certified products and also adheres to intellectual property guidelines and laws. For more information on the event, highlights and download show report, visit www.cbmexpo.com/en.

Held annually in Shanghai, CBME China is the world's largest trade fair for child, baby and maternity products and services. This is the perfect venue to meet buyers, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and business partners in the industry.

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in China, India, Thailand and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global presence in 24 major cities with 32 offices and 1,300 staff.

UBM plc is the largest pure-play B2B Events organiser in the world. In an increasingly digital world, the value of connecting on a meaningful, human level has never been more important. At UBM, our deep knowledge and passion for the industry sectors we serve allow us to create valuable experiences where people can succeed. At our events people build relationships, close deals and grow their businesses. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors - from fashion to pharmaceutical ingredients. These global networks, skilled, passionate people and market-leading events provide exciting opportunities for business people to achieve their ambitions.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; for UBM corporate news, follow us on Twitter at @UBM, UBM Plc LinkedIn.

Displaying Hanwoo dishes along with tasting events, showing off the best taste of the world

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanwooboard and the National Hanwoo Association are increasing their marketing efforts to boost exports of Hanwoo to Hong Kongand captivate the taste buds of Hong Kong consumers.

To promote awareness and increase consumption of Hanwoo (Korean Beef) in Hong Kong, the two parties are conducting a large publicity campaign at the HKTDC Food Expo 2017, being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong from Aug 17-19. Their joint booth features a variety of promotional activities, like providing information on the high quality of Hanwoo for not only local buyers but also consumers, display of Hanwoo dishes, tasting and prize events.

The Hanwooboard and the National Hanwoo Association are operating the Hanwoo Experience and Promotion, including Hanwoo exhibitions, tasting parties and prize events for Hong Kong people and food buyers from all over the world, and are actively promoting the quality and excellence of Hanwoo to enhance the brand image and its consumption. In addition, they will increase direct communication with local consumers. For this purpose, they will provide them information about the most famous traditional Korean food,Hanwoo dishes, as well as hold various events on Facebook and instagram, their official SNS channels, in both Chinese and English languages.

The chairman of Hanwooboard, Mr Min said "Since the first export to Hong Kong in 2015, the exports of Hanwoo have continued to increase over the past two years, known as the outstanding taste and safety of Hanwoo". He also stated "Related to the month of Korean culture in Oct, we will host a promotional event and the joint marketing between Korean restaurants and local exporters for local consumers and will actively conduct various marketing activities such as inviting local buyers to Korean Hanwoo farms, enhancing the world best taste and brand image of Hanwoo beyond Hong Kong."

Export of Hanwoo to Hong Kong started in 2015, which reached 45.7 tons in 2016. In the first half of this year,that number has reached 29.7 tons, representing more than 111% increase from the same period of last year. One of the reasons why the export has increased is the distinguished marketing strategy based on its high quality that appeals to the high-end Hanwoo market in Hong Kong. Another reason is the thorough quality management system during the entire process, from breeding to distribution and selling, earning the trust of local consumers.

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FODRSTTDSThu, 17 Aug 2017 12:42:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185459-0.shtmlPark's First Pipeline Extends from the Company's Network in Prai]]>
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products, a world-leading industrial gases company, today announced that its pipeline in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang, for global leading printing company HP has come on-stream. As the Park's first gases pipeline, which extends from Air Products' existing network in Prai, this infrastructural investment represents the company's further commitment to the social and economic development of Northern Malaysia and the rest of the country.

"We are honored to be supporting HP's business growth plan in Malaysia," said Alex Tan, Southeast Asia president, Industrial Gases, Air Products. "Air Products has been serving Malaysia for over 40 years with a strong position established in Northern Malaysia. Providing a more reliable and cost-effective gases supply, this new pipeline will strengthen our support to HP's innovation and help fuel the growth of other manufacturers in the Park."

The comprehensively planned Batu Kawan Industrial Park is rapidly developing into one of Penang's major industrial hubs in recent years. Strategically located, it offers excellent accessibility and high standard infrastructure facilities. HP's facility in the Park serves as the company's global consumer ink business headquarters and manufactures ink supplies by utilizing its innovative and environmentally-friendly technologies.

"Air Products' new supply system in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park improves the reliability, quality and cost-effectiveness of HP's operations while helping us reduce our carbon footprint," said Sunil Chandiramani, General Manager/Vice President, Consumer Ink Business (WW IPH Operations), Inkjet Supplies Operations/IPS at HP. "As part of the Park's common infrastructure that benefits all manufacturers here, it marks the beginning of sustainable industrial growth in Batu Kawan."

Air Products has been serving Malaysia since 1974 and is recognized for its excellence in safety, reliability and operations. With eight state-of-the-art production facilities and depots strategically located throughout the country, the company produces high-purity and high-quality industrial gases to diverse markets including steel, electronics, chemicals processing, metals processing, food, glass and more.

Today, Air Products has established a leading position in Northern Malaysia. In Penang, its two air separation units in the Prai Industrial Park, together with an extensive supply network that expands into the Bukit Minyak Industrial Park and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park, provide a highly reliable gases supply to its customers. In Central and Eastern Malaysia, Air Products' hydrogen plants in Banting, West Port and Kuantan position the company as one of Malaysia's largest hydrogen suppliers.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading Industrial Gases company in operation for over 75 years. The Company's core industrial gases business provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.

The Company had fiscal 2016 sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations in 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of approximately $30 billion. Approximately 16,000 employees are making Air Products the world's safest and best performing industrial gases company, providing sustainable offerings and excellent service to all customers. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

Coverfox, a global top 50 Insurtech company has disrupted the Indian insurance ecosystem with its comparison website where users can compare, buy and manage insurance policies. Coverfox has been working with Vizury to pioneer and execute 'quote level personalization' across online marketing channels to effectively engage with users who drop off from the website after taking an insurance quote.

"Vizury's ability to offer 1:1 personalization at the intersection of ad tech and martech channels makes them unique. After seeing great and sustained results on programmatic display where we managed to drive down COA by 75%, we are now extending the solution to other channels as well," stated Siddesh Karkar, Head Online Marketing at Coverfox.

When a user drops off from the Coverfox website after taking a quote, Engage - Vizury's marketing platform captures quote level variables such as automobile model, registration number, premium amount, etc. These granular data points are then used to serve personalized ads to deliver a much sharper and relevant experience to users and bring them back to the website.

"We have consistently improved both scale and acquisition costs on Vizury's platform. Most importantly, we have been able to jointly push the marketing innovation envelope further with the help of channels such as Browser Push, a decisive factor for us as we look to disrupt the online insurance space," said Jaimit Doshi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Coverfox.

While the focus has been on Programmatic Display and Facebook channels over the past year, Coverfox has recently launched Browser Push Notification as well - a new marketing channel on the web browser similar to a mobile push notification.

"Coverfox and Vizury share a common passion for innovation - and the partnership has pushed us to create cutting-edge personalization capabilities. As we expand the relationship to channels beyond programmatic, we hope to help Coverfox drive channel a consistent and synchronized conversation with users across all these channels," said Subra Krishnan, SVP Products at Vizury.

About Coverfox

Coverfox.com is India's fastest growing online insurance portal where you can compare, buy and manage your insurance policies. Using its proprietary technology and algorithm-based platform, users can compare and choose from a range of plans across top insurance companies, understand key features and buy policies instantly and safely. Coverfox currently offers health, car, bike, travel and home insurance policies.

Coverfox is run by Glitterbug Technologies, a tech company which has received Series A & B funding from global funds such as SAIF partners, Accel and Narayan Murthy's Catamaran Ventures.

The top 5 most sought-after technology job roles in the Banking & Finance sector collectively account for more than 50% of all technology jobs posted by the sector. Similarly, the top 5 most sought-after technology job roles in the ICT sector collectively account for more than 45% of all technology jobs posted by the sector. The analysis also identified the fastest growing technical skills across the sectors scanned by JobTech.

Banking & Finance Sector

Rank

Top 5 Most Popular Technology Job Roles

% of Technology Job Role In Banking & Finance

Technical Skills Sought by Employers

1

Data Scientist/Analyst

20%

Data Analytics

SQL

Database Management

2

Cross-platform Developer

12%

Programming

Java

SQL

3

Data Controller

7%

Data Analytics

SQL

Database Management

4

IT Infrastructure Specialist

7%

Troubleshooting

Project Management

Cloud Infrastructure Management

5

IT Business Analyst

6%

Programming

System Implementation

Risk Management

ICT Sector

Rank

Top 5 Most Popular Technology Job Roles

% of Technology Job Role In ICT

Technical Skills Sought by Employers

1

Software Engineer

17%

Programming

SQL

Java

2

System Engineer

10%

Troubleshooting

Maintenance Management

Configuration Management

3

IT Support

9%

Troubleshooting

Hardware Installation

Configuration Management

4

Cross-platform Developer

7%

Programming

Java

SQL

5

Network Infrastructure Engineer

5%

Local & Wide Area Network Configuration

Firewall Setup

Maintenance Management

Top 5 Fastest Growing Technical Skills Across 9 Sectors

Rank

Top 5 Fastest Growing Technical Skills

% of Growth In Demand Over prior 3 Quarters

Technical Tasks Performed

1

Objective-C

130%

General-purpose, object-oriented programming language used mainly for iOS development work.

2

SASS

120%

Stylesheet language that supports integration and front-end development work.

3

PLC Programming

96%

Programming of highly reliable control systems in assembly lines or robotic devices.

4

SWIFT

89%

General-purpose, multi-paradigm, compiled programming language used for development work in various Mac OS and Linux environment.

5

API Creation

64%

Application Programming Interface (API) allows end users to access specific sets of information from a service provider.

In terms of the employment type, more than 90% of the technology jobs posted by both Banking & Finance and ICT sectors were seeking for full-time hires, while only about 8-10% of online jobs were offering contract and temporary positions.

JobTech's job monitoring technology also registered a net increase of more than 1,000 unique online jobs in 2Q 2017 across the 9 key labor sectors. This represents a sequential 6% increase in online jobs when 2Q 2017 is compared with 1Q 2017.

Generally, an upward trend was observed in the number of online jobs from April to June 2017 across the 9 sectors scanned. In sum, JobTech's jobs scan detected at least 10% increase in quarter-over-quarter job growth in Logistics, Banking & Finance, and Government sectors in 2Q 2017. Of the 9 sectors, Logistics had the largest quarterly sequential percentage increase while Biotech & Pharmaceuticals and Marine & Offshore suffered relative decreases in online jobs when compared quarter-over-quarter.

"JobTech is one of the most promising startups today using AI and Big Data solutions to solve real world HR challenges. Their proprietary TalenTech enterprise platform helps HR professionals quickly and scalably upload, analyse and match candidate resumes to open jobs. The broader application of their technology at the national level provides detailed labour market intelligence in areas like industry trends, hot jobs / skills and development / redeployment opportunities. I think JobTech is an excellent addition to the set of HR tech tools available to the HR community in Singapore today," said Syed Ali Abbas, Executive Council Member of Singapore Human Resources Institute, Group HR Director of Global Fashion Group, a leading global e-commerce fashion player which is represented in Asia via Zalora brand.

For more information on the full version of JobTech Analytics Reports (Quarterly Sector Reports) and Real Time Analytics, please visit http://analytics.jobtech.sg/.

About JobTech

JobTech is Singapore's leading Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics technology startup that provides real-time labour market intelligence and optimized job matching tools. Our core technology took 10 years to build by top researchers at the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), a part of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's(A*STAR).

We apply the technology platform to provide complete and accurate visibility of online jobs market around the world. In Singapore, our technology tracks and analyses more than 90% of online jobs. Our customers include: financial institutions, government, recruiters, and consultancy firms.

Our strong technology foundation allows us to be obsessed with powering the jobs economy. This means building products and solutions that reduce frictions in the job market and drive human resource productivity.

About Singapore Human Resource Institute (SHRI)

Established in 1965, SHRI is a not-for-profit, professional HR body which represents Individual and Corporate members across diverse sectors. SHRI connects HR professionals and business leaders through its signature conferences, membership activities, dialogues and networking sessions.

SHRI is
Singapore's representative on the Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management (APFHRM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA). SHRI partners national HR associations worldwide to bring global and regional best HR practices to
Singapore. In line with its vision to be the leading HR authority in
Singapore, upholding human capital excellence, SHRI is committed to advocating HR best practices, connecting a community of HR professionals and enhancing the HR profession.

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FINPUBWEBWRKSVYThu, 17 Aug 2017 12:00:00 +0800http://en.prnasia.com/story/185455-0.shtmlBEIJING, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RealNetworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK), a leader in digital media software and services, today announced a partnership with CIBN Oriental Network (Beijing) Co., Ltd, one of the seven broadcasting networks that is licensed to distribute over-the-top (OTT) content in China, to enhance the company's TV and mobile video streaming capabilities. By leveraging RealNetworks' innovative RealMedia™ HD technology, CIBN Oriental's users will enjoy fast, reliable and superior OTT service on large screens as well as on any mobile device.

OTT service has become one of the fastest growing parts of China's internet video market. By 2022 China will command half the revenues for the Asia Pacific OTT TV market, according to Digital TV Research.

"Applying RealNetworks' innovative technology into our platform helps build a customized and localized ecosystem for CIBN OTT TV," said Mr. Gong Yuguo, General Manager of CIBN Oriental. "The unique video codec allows CIBN Oriental to explore new business models in copyright protection and information security, and to develop a better service model for content management."

"We're pleased to partner with CIBN Oriental and provide their millions of users with RealNetworks advanced RealMedia HD technology, ensuring a faster, more efficient and higher-quality streaming experience," said RealNetworks' Chairman and CEO, Rob Glaser. "CIBN Oriental's huge library of premium and diversified content will be of great interest to our mutual end-users. We're happy to partner with CIBN Oriental to jointly strengthen the RealMedia HD ecosystem."

"RealMedia HD is a next generation video technology, which enables rich, and immersive viewing experiences," said Morris Zhang, Vice President of Greater China for RealNetworks. "We're confident that CIBN Oriental will be able to deliver enhanced service experiences to their millions of users with adoption of our technology."

RealMedia HD technology will be implemented on CIBN Oriental's platform and available to consumers starting from the fourth quarter of 2017.

RealNetworks creates innovative applications and services that make it easy to connect with and enjoy digital media. RealNetworks invented the streaming media category and continues to connect consumers with their digital media both directly and through partners, aiming to support every network, device, media type and social network. Find RealNetworks corporate information at www.realnetworks.com.

RealNetworks and RealMedia are registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

In light of the license for OTT content integration and administration that is authorized by China Radio International (CRI), CIBN OTT TV integrates premium resources and content across internet content providers.

CIBN OTT TV is a cross-screen, cross-platform, and cross-border OTT TV operator that offers a wide range of services. CIBN OTT TV has been making sustained efforts in developing a number of high-quality, original and native programs, and has been exploring business opportunities in such areas as E-commerce, gaming, VR, naked-eye 3D, education, health, Zen culture, music and performance arts, and interactive live streaming, among others. Through such efforts, CIBN OTT TV is working hard to develop itself into a contributor, service provider and leader in the process of forming an Internet-enabled large-screen-based lifestyle.

Precisely targeting horizontal markets, vertical markets, industry-specific markets and overseas markets, CIBN OTT TV has launched a diverse range of services that include terminal manufacturing, value-added business, E-commerce and advertising, with its overseas service covering such regions as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

There are a growing number of people who are looking for alternatives such as plastic surgery to have a V-line face shape, with experts saying that it is not necessary to take surgical procedures.

Experts say that face liposuction, a non-surgical procedure, can create a V-line without cutting the bones. If someone has a rounded face, it is known that liposuction of the cheek skin or double chin can be effective.

Jung Yeon Ho, the director of TL Plastic Surgery, said, "We use facial liposuction, which uses a fiber-type thin tube to treat the 1444nm wavelength laser directly into the fat layer to perform a power V contour to extract unnecessary fat," and, "This procedure is a non-surgical facial liposuction which is safe and has obtained the trademark right."

This procedure has the advantage of being able to simultaneously see the liposuction effect and the lifting effect by irradiating the dermal layer and the fascia layer (SMAS) in the skin with thermal stimulation. In addition, it regenerates collagen and completes elastic skin and the V-line facial shape after the procedure.

Dr. Jung said, "There are many cases in which surgery is completed without a great deal of concern andpatients are advised to find a hospital with an aftercare system after the procedure."

About TL Plastic Surgery

TL Plastic Surgery was established in Seoul in 2008 and is currently located in Gangnam. Nine full-time specialists with rich clinical experience in each field perform from diagnosis to surgery and provide differentiated medical services. In addition, only genuine and a standard quantity of medical equipment, Botox, filler, and lifting threads are used in procedures - TL Plastic Surgery puts the safety of patients as the top priority. Dr. Jung Yeon Ho of TL Plastic Surgery Anti-Aging Center strives to provide the ideal results for each person by implementing a 1:1 dedicated management system for lifting showing a high level of clinical experience through various cases.